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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. What is the name of Cynthia's cat?

2. What does Tim receive as a birthday gift?

3. Where do Tim and Dooley go together after Puny upsets Dooley?

4. Where does Tim find Barnabas?

5. What does Puny bake?

Short Essay Questions

1. Tim says he gets a "simple joy" from being with Cynthia. What do you think this is like?

2. What do you think about the people in the town being Tim's 'family'? Do you think this is a healthy thing? Why or why not?

3. Describe Tim's dinner party.

4. After reading Chapters 5-8, what sort of romantic partner do you think Father Tim needs or would want?

5. Why do you think Tim and Dooley get along so well?

6. Why do you think Tim doesn't think much about the future neighbor he will have?

7. How does Tim come to have a black dog? What is special about the dog?

8. From an outsider's perspective, do you think Father Tim should feel lonely based on what you read in Chapters 1-4?

9. Why is Uncle Billy worried? How does Tim help alleviate this worry?

10. Do you like Barnabas? Why or why not?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Identify the concept of a tragic hero (or heroine). Describe one character in Karon's book that you think can be described as a tragic hero, and explain what makes this person fit the description. Why did Karon decide to include this particular character in her book? What does he or she represent?

Essay Topic 2

Karon uses a narrative point of view throughout her entire book. Why do you think she chose to write this way? What are the pros and cons of using this point of view in this particular story?

Essay Topic 3

Describe an instance of situational irony in Karon's book. Why would she have included this? What does it add to the overall effect of the novel?

(see the answer keys)

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