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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. It was easier to raise Caroline, Ginny admits, because she was an ____________ child.

2. Who upends the Monopoly game in Pete's lap when she hears the news of the unknown wedding?

3. _____________ does not wear the customary goggles and accidentally sprays himself with anhydrous ammonia.

4. What has Rose been diagnosed with, which means she needs additional help with certain chores and tasks?

5. Who bought the air-conditioned International Harvester tractor in a bright red color, which annoyed Larry?

Short Essay Questions

1. What has Ty wanted to do for years with his share of the farm he lives on?

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

3. After the storm and the incident in the storm, what does Ginny decide she needs to do for her father?

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

5. Why does Ginny run back home on her way to feed her father one morning?

6. What does Ginny drive Rose to and what is the outcome of this trip they take together?

7. What happened when the trucks and the tractors broke during the past when Larry and Harold were around?

8. What ends the two week long Monopoly game and causes the family to react angrily?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The rigidity of Larry in the beginning of the story strikes a reader as odd, though perhaps just something that is inherent to his temperament.

Part 1: Why do you think Larry is so rigid about his schedule?

Part 2: Why are Larry's daughters keen to helping Larry adhere to his rigid schedule?

Part 3: What happens when Larry's schedule is not followed? Does this mean his schedule was to blame or some other factor?

Essay Topic 2

At times, it seems the author is not revealing a lot about some characters, which causes those characters to be more mysterious and more difficult to understand.

Part 1: Why do you think the author felt it was so important to focus on the lives of Ginny and Rose?

Part 2: Why do you think Caroline was ignored a bit as a character in the story?

Part 3: What is the value of not revealing everything about a character in a novel?

Essay Topic 3

The affairs with Jess show the reality of the sisters and their dissatisfaction with their lives and situations.

Part 1: Why do you think Ginny decided to sleep with Jess?

Part 2: Why do you think Rose decided to sleep with Jess?

Part 3: Why do you think Jess decided to sleep with both sisters?

(see the answer keys)

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