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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Jess' father decided to take the day off from ____________ planting to host the pig roast for his son.

2. Ginny's mother had not been afraid of _________, but afraid of the life her daughters would lead after that happened.

3. ___________ is currently cooking three meals a day for three households.

4. Ginny cannot think of ________ without thinking of her room, which she cannot think of without thinking of her father.

5. What did Larry do to the Ericson farm right after his wife died?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Marc Griffin, the banker, worried about in relation to the actions of Larry on his farm?

2. What happens to Ginny after she cleans the carpet in her house, a task which takes her until noon?

3. What did Ginny and Rose create inside of their mother's closet when they were little?

4. What happens when Jess arrives at Ginny's with frozen meat for her to store for him and for Harold?

5. What did Ginny and Rose do in order to help Caroline grow up well even though her mother had died?

6. When Ty returns with the missing Larry, what does Larry have to say to Ginny in person?

7. What does Ginny do in order to try to catch a glance of Jess Clark again?

8. What kind of sermon does Henry Dodge give during the service in which Rose and Ginny are helping?

9. When Ginny takes her nieces to the swimming pool, what do they complain about to her?

10. When Larry arrived at Harold's, wet from the storm, what did he demand before asking for dry clothes?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

One might say that parts of the story were simply out of the hands of the characters. For example, the role of disease and illness seem to be out of the hands of the characters, though the actions of Larry seem to be within his control.

Part 1: Do you think that that characters had more opportunities to change their lives? Why or why not?

Part 2: Why didn't some of the characters try to change their lives and redirect their experiences?

Part 3: Do you think the book supports the idea of nature being in control of our lives or of free will being in charge? Why did you choose the answer you did?

Essay Topic 2

The prospect of freedom is something that is explored at several points of this story.

Part 1: How do you think the characters are trapped in this story?

Part 2: How do you think the characters are free in this story?

Part 3: Do you think it's easier for the characters to be trapped or to be free? Why?

Essay Topic 3

Many of the characters have their moments of seeming to be normal and well-adjusted and even happy, but at other times, these are simply guises under which they hide.

Part 1: Why do you think so many characters hide their true feelings in this story?

Part 2: What does it say about the author's own ability to trust people at face value?

Part 3: How might the story have been different had the characters simply acted in an honest and authentic way?

(see the answer keys)

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