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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. Where does Michael shoot Du Boise, killing him?

2. What celebrity did Michael see when he witnessed the convoy of cars outside the birthday party?

3. What look does Du Boise have on his face at the moment Michael shoots him?

4. How does Silas feel when he realizes that his wife has left him for another man?

5. What does Silas fantasize about when thinking about his upcoming birthday party.

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens between Lydia and Mikey when Silas leaves the house after a fight with his wife?

2. What announcement does Julian make while out for lunch at "The Crucible" with his friends.

3. What story of abuse does Vinu tell Michael when she meets him at his home?

4. What happens when Michael finally comes face-to-face with Du Boise in the shopping mall?

5. How does Silas feel when he knows that Lydia has left him for good this time?

6. How did Ouma Angel die?

7. How does Silas react to Lydia's birthday gift to him?

8. How does Alec behave when he and Silas go out for dinner before Mam Agnes's anniversary party?

9. How does Silas react to Vinu being at Mam Agnes' anniversary party?

10. How did Ali Ali end up living in South Africa?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Throughout the novel, Silas struggles to reconnect to his wife, Lydia, but finds himself unable, or unwilling, to reach her. Give two examples of times in the novel when Silas tries to reach out to his wife but fails. Then, briefly explain why each of his attempts fails. What hidden demons continue to haunt Silas in his marriage?

Essay Topic 2

One of the biggest acts of betrayal in this novel is the way that Alec betrays his friendship with Silas and keeps a dark secret from him for almost twenty years. Explain what secret Alec is keeping from Silas, and what lengths he goes to in order to ensure that the secret would never come out. Then, explain why Alec finally decides to tell Silas, and how this admittance affected their relationship.

Essay Topic 3

Perhaps Silas's biggest character flaw lies in his complete passivity in regard to his family. Give three clear examples of times when Silas acts passively when the circumstances ask more of him. What effect does Silas's passivity have on his family life? Finally, explain whether or not you believe Silas overcomes his passivity by the end of the novel, and why.

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This section contains 960 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample