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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 Marge Owen's baby?

2. To whom does Tim give some extra food from the Thanksgiving meal?

3. What does Sadie serve to her guests when she makes her big announcement?

4. Who is Mr. Gregory?

5. What does Tim find on his chin after Cynthia leaves his house?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

4. Why are specific characters pleased that Sadie's painting is not a Vermeer?

5. What does Tim learn from Puny Bradshaw?

6. How are birth and death intertwined in Chapters 9-12?

7. Describe Tim's medical problem as addressed in Chapters 1-4.

8. How do Tim and Cynthia meet?

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

10. Describe the situation Father Tim faces at the beginning of Chapter 1.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

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 3

What is the purpose of a foil in literature? Describe one character in Karon's novel that you believe is a foil of another character. Why do you think Karon may have created characters in her work that emphasize each other's qualities?

(see the answer keys)

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