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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 does Ginny notice at 6:00 AM in the morning, with Rose stumbling up the road as well?

2. The lawsuit of Caroline and Larry against Ty and Ginny, Rose and Pete is found to be __________ by the judge.

3. Who surprises Ginny when she goes for a swim as they are throwing rocks into the water?

4. Rose knows that __________ sees her differently than other men see her and that their physical attraction will fade in time.

5. The judge rules in the defendants' favor, charging Caroline and Larry with paying the _____________.

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Ginny do when she slips out of bed as Ty is sleeping one night?

2. What happens when Pete gets drunk in Mason City and drives over to threaten Harold?

3. What does Ginny do between shifts at her new job as a waitress?

4. Who takes care of the funeral arrangements for Pete, since Harold and Larry are not present?

5. Why is Rose tempted to walk inside Chelsea, according to Rose as she speaks to Ginny?

6. What does Rose let Ginny know in a short note she receives while Ginny is in her new place?

7. What does Ty discover in the old dairy barn he's converting for the hog operation?

8. What is the status of Harold's eyes after his accident with the ammonia?

9. Why has Henry Dodge, the Lutheran minister, come to call on Ginny, even though she did not ask him to come?

10. How did Ginny cover for Caroline when they were younger, Caroline being 14 and Ginny being 22?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Throughout the story it is obvious that Ginny wants to have a baby, but at the same time, this goal is clouding her interpretation of events around her.

Part 1: Do you think the story would have been different had Ginny already had children?

Part 2: How do Ginny's fertility issues cloud the storytelling? Or don't they?

Part 3: What might be the symbolism of Ginny's fertility issues in relation to the events which take place?

Essay Topic 2

At times, it seems the story is being told from the perspective of someone who is a passionate feminist. While there's nothing wrong with this, it does seem to color the descriptions of the other characters.

Part 1: How does Ginny's perspective on women's rights affect the way she tells the story?

Part 2: How might the story have be told had Ginny had a more balanced view of women's vs. men's rights?

Part 3: Is it fair for an author to allow his/her characters to tell a story from a biased standpoint? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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