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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. What do Rose and Ginny decide to do because the doctor appointment goes so well?

2. What does Larry say to Ginny--something that Ty thinks Ginny should hear face-to-face with her father?

3. Who arrives late to breakfast the day after the pig roast, even though the rest of the family was there and ready on time?

4. What is the profession of Marv Carlson, the man who ends up helping Larry Cook throughout the story?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. Why was Jess in church that morning, as he explains later when his father and brother are not around?

5. What is on the papers which Ken LaSalle gives to Ginny when she is served?

6. What happens to the kitchen cabinets that Larry purchases, even though he doesn't need them?

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The role of the family in this book is a complicated one, however, that could be said for all families in some respect.

Part 1: How do you think family is defined in this story? What makes up a family?

Part 2: Are there any characters in this story who support a healthy family relationship? Who? Why? If not, why not?

Part 3: Do you think the family could have changed their unhealthy ways? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

The acres of the farm are obviously affecting the way the family interacts with each other. As the acres grow, the family becomes more volatile.

Part 1: How do you think the story might have changed had the acres been fewer in number?

Part 2: How do you think the story might have changed if Larry had simply kept all of the land for himself?

Part 3: Why do you think Larry decided to split up his land among different people?

(see the answer keys)

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