View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. In Chapter 13, what does Alex do instead of driving home from the hospital?

2. In Chapter 13, where had Alex visited a church that had an effect on her?

3. In Chapter 11, what does Alex ask Barbra for in return for Barbra's request of Alex regarding Victor?

4. In Chapter 9, what does Gary do to try to calm himself?

5. In Chapter 6, what is the relationship between Twyla and Alex?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Chapter 3, when does Gary realize that something might be seriously wrong in his family?

2. In Chapter 2, why is Alex oddly exhilarated by the news of her father's grave illness?

3. In Chapter 11, what does Barbra ask Alex to do with Victor?

4. In Chapter 12, what prompts Barbra to break off her engagement with Bernie?

5. In Chapter 5, what is unusual about Corey's living situation?

6. In Chapter 12, when does Barbra first begin to realize Victor has abusive tendencies?

7. What unpleasant memory does Avery think of involving Victor in Chapter 4?

8. In Chapter 6, how does Bobby respond when Alex asks him to think more of their daughter Sadie and put her first?

9. In Chapter 12, what does Victor tell Alex and Gary when they are upset after their grandmother's death?

10. In Chapter 2, why has Alex given up on her parents years ago?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Why do you think Alex is so desperate to learn more about her parents' relationship and their reasons for moving to New Orleans? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text.

Essay Topic 2

What does Twyla's family farm in Alabama symbolize for her, and how is the way she feels on the farm different from how she feels in either Los Angeles or New Orleans? Write an essay explaining your answers.

Essay Topic 3

Although Alex and her mother, Barbra, do not have a close or easy-going relationship, they do have some moments of real tenderness and affection. Write an essay exploring the range and nuances of feelings Alex and Barbra experience in their mother-daughter relationship.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 701 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample