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. How is Rita's hair described in the book?

2. What does the narrator say had not changed about Jerry besides his silly gait?

3. What does the narrator tell Jerry that the nostalgia of the reunion is least likely to present to explain why he came?

4. Whom does Swede fail to call after Rita threatens him?

5. What does Rita say should happen to Swede for what he pays the workers in other countries to work in his factories?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does one doctor say about Merry's stuttering in regard to her perfectionist family?

2. What does Swede remember about when Merry watched monks on TV?

3. What does Rita tell Swede that Merry says about him and her mother?

4. What does Nathan reminisce about regarding his high school memories while preparing a speech for his reunion?

5. How is Jerry described at the beginning of Chapter 3?

6. How does the narrator describe Swede's tribute to his father?

7. How does the narrator say Swede's grandfather became a glove manufacturer?

8. Describe Rita and Swede's conversation after she reveals she is Merry's friend in Chapter 4?

9. How does the narrator describe the post-war energy of his neighborhood in Chapter 2?

10. What happens when Merry asks Swede if he would kiss her as he did her mother when she was a young child?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the author's use of tone. What details is the author able to introduce about the characters by using varying tones in one chapter?

Essay Topic 2

Throughout the book, one of the things given a great deal of detail is the author's portrayal of America.

Part 1) How does Swede's love of America reflect the sentiments of his neighborhood growing up?

Part 2) What do Merry's political beliefs as a young woman say about her feelings towards America?

Part 3) Does the author paint a favorable picture of America?

Essay Topic 3

Examine the role of stuttering in the book. What did Merry's bout with stuttering suggest about her mental health?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 642 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample