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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. The harvest is more successful for __________ than it is for the neighbors, which proves this person is the better farmer.

2. Who does Ginny remember always watching her as she got beat by Larry as a child, even though Ginny screamed?

3. The ______________ is parked, waiting until the crew laid the floors of the grower and the finisher buildings.

4. What was put beside the bed during her first night with Ty after they were married and were consummating the relationship?

5. Ty is not settled, according to Ginny, and he is heading for a big hog operation in __________ where he hopes to land a job.

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Ty do when he's in town with Ginny at the Perkins Restaurant?

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

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

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

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

6. What does Ginny notice about 6 AM the morning after Pete's accident?

7. What does Ginny do after asking Ty for $1000 and receiving that money from him?

8. What does Ginny do in order to attempt to poison her sister, Rose?

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

10. Why does Ty hope for good weather at the beginning of this chapter?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The theme of rural life is one that weaves its way in and around this story. This backdrop provides a unique setting in which certain things can and cannot occur.

Part 1: In what ways does rural life affect the story within this novel?

Part 2: Why do you think the rural setting was important to use in this story? Could a city landscape have worked?

Part 3: What kinds of things are explored when a story is placed in a rural setting which could not be explored in another location?

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

Ginny finally escapes the farm and the country, leaving without explanation and without any plan for her future.

Part 1: Why do you think Ginny decided to leave when she did?

Part 2: Why do you think Ginny decided to leave without telling anyone she was going?

Part 3: What do Ginny's actions surrounding leaving say about her and about her emotional state at the time of her departure?

(see the answer keys)

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