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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 does the doctor say about Turtle's health in Chapter 8?

2. What words does Lou Ann use to describe Taylor in Chapter 5?

3. What did Angel have to give up before his car accident?

4. Who does Taylor meet at the Burger Derby?

5. Why was Taylor chosen for the job in her hometown?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the conversation between Mattie and Taylor in Chapter 13, regarding Esteban and Esperanza.

2. On what day do Mattie, Esteban, Esperanza and Taylor take their short trip? Why is this day important? Where are they going?

3. Explain Lou Ann's fearful dream of Dwayne Ray. What does Lou Ann think about this?

4. Explain why Taylor and her passengers were stopped at the New Mexico border.

5. Describe Taylor's first meeting with Lou Ann.

6. Explain the circumstances that caused Taylor to decide to leave the Burger Derby.

7. What does Mattie give to Taylor and Turtle at the beginning of Chapter 3? Why?

8. What is Lou Ann's reaction to the adoption situation that takes place in Chapter 13?

9. What does Lou Ann constantly show her mother regarding Mexican Americans? Why does Lou Ann do this?

10. Describe the relationship between Newt Hardbine and his father.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

It is clear through the text that Esteban has strong affection for Taylor, but even stronger and more romantic affection for his wife, Esperanza. Does Esteban ever cross marital bounds, in your opinion? How? Do you believe that he loves Esperanza?

Essay Topic 2

How does Taylor change throughout the novel? How do her ideas change, and which characters have spawned the most change in Taylor?

Essay Topic 3

The theme of gardening is mentioned throughout the entire novel. The idea of growing seems to be important to the author. Why do you think that is? Why use a garden as a means of explaining the way in which things grow? How do you view growth in relation to the novel?

(see the answer keys)

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