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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. Why did Homer and his wife elope?

2. Where does Loyd invite Codi?

3. What about Codi and Hallie touches their father's heart?

4. How much does Codi think her father knows about her situation?

5. How old are Codi and Hallie at the beginning of the story?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Loyd's reaction when Codi tells him about their lost baby?

2. Why does Codi come to Grace in Chapter 2?

3. What is the attitude of Codi's father about her relationship with Loyd?

4. In Homer's flashback, in Chapter 3, why are Codi and Hallie stuck in an arroyo?

5. What is contained in the letter from the school board that Codi receives in Chapter 23?

6. In his Chapter 10 flashback, how does Homer feel about Codi's situation?

7. What does the unknown caller tell Homer in Chapter 20?

8. What triggers Codi's classroom tirade in Chapter 21?

9. Who are the Nolinas?

10. Summarize the ten-year relationship between Codi and Carlo.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Homer Noline is a character who lived a life of illusion. Explore the various ways in which he constructed the life he wanted to live and attempted to break from the reality that dissatisfied him. Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 2

Examine the various literary devices Kingsolver uses in the novel, for example, foreshadowing or symbolism. What are the devices Kingsolver uses? Why does she choose to use them? How effective is Kingsolver's use of each of these literary devices? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast the characters of Codi and Hallie. What are the major differences in the way they live their lives? What are some of their similarities? What factors are similar, or different, about their attitudes toward their common experiences? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 618 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample