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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. Larry purchases new ______________ he doesn't need and leaves them outside where they get ruined by the rain.

2. After Ginny finally falls asleep, she wakes up to Jess telling her that Larry is at ____________.

3. Larry and his other lawyer, ___________, are suing to get the farm back from Rose and Ginny and the others.

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

5. Larry announces a plan to form a corporation with the farm, giving each of his daughters __________ of the ownership of the farm.

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How does Ginny describe the dimensions of her flat world as an 8-year-old in 1951?

3. What does Harold publicly denounce Ginny and Rose for doing to Larry?

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

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

6. What is Larry's response to the questions of Ginny and Ty after he is released from the hospital?

7. What happened to the Ericson farm, according to Ginny's memory of the time it was purchased?

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

9. When Pete mentions overhearing that Harold is going to be changing his will, how does Jess respond?

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

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 idea of being a parent is one that is debated in this novel, with different versions of parenting being represented.

Part 1: How do you think motherhood is portrayed in this novel? Positively? Negatively?

Part 2: How do you think fatherhood is portrayed in this novel? Positively? Negatively?

Part 3: What do you think the author's feelings about parenting are?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 745 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample