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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. To Ginny, the sound of __________ is something oracular, telling her what she should do with her life at this point.

2. Where does Ginny drive in order to find out what the townsfolk are saying about Larry and the rest of the family as the pastor will not reveal anything?

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

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

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

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. How does Ginny describe the way she is feeling after the midnight conversation with Rose?

4. What did Pete tell Rose the week before when she told him about her affair with Jess?

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

6. How is it shown that Ty is the better farmer of all of his neighbors and their farms?

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

8. What does Ginny believe is Rose's legacy to her daughters, Pammy and Linda?

9. What does Rose's physician tell Ginny about the condition of Rose and about her prognosis?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The multiple miscarriages of Ginny are a sad fact she shares almost without feeling at times.

Part 1: Why do you think Ginny has continued to have so many miscarriages in her life?

Part 2: What is the symbolism of Ginny not being able to carry a child in her womb?

Part 3: Do you think the Ginny would have made a good mother? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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