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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 Opal see reflected in the porch light that made her very sad?

2. Why does Opal work particularly slow at her job after Otis tells her why he went to jail?

3. What did Littmus decide to do because he saw the world as such a sorry place?

4. How does the preacher describe the lozenge Opal gives him?

5. Why is Opal kind of glad that it is raining?

Short Essay Questions

1. What did Littmus do when he arrived home from the war and then what did he have a yearning for?

2. What did Gloria tell Opal she used to like to do and why can't she do it anymore?

3. How did Amanda seem when she entered the library and how was this interpreted by Opal?

4. How does the reader feel about Otis once they learn why he was arrested?

5. How does Opal try to keep all of Gloria's ghosts away?

6. What does Miss Franny suffer from and what does it remind Opal of?

7. How did Littmus feel about his time as a soldier?

8. What do you believe is the author's purpose of this short, transitional chapter?

9. What does Gloria say the Littmus Lozenge she is given reminds her of?

10. Why was Opal very upset with herself after she gets everyone from the party inside Gloria's house?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How is the concept of family defined throughout the novel? Does it change from the beginning of the novel to the end? If so, in what way? If not, why do you think it does not?

Essay Topic 2

In what ways does the character of Opal stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves? Is this a good trait? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Why might a reader have empathy for the character Gloria? What ways is Gloria unique? Does Gloria help Opal heal? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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