View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is Billy's attitude when he approaches Dennis about the deception about Eva?

2. Who sits all night with Maeve on the night that Billy dies?

3. Where do people gather on the evening of Billy's funeral?

4. What is the name of Dennis' wife?

5. What have the neighbors brought to Maeve's house?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Eva tell Billy about her deception?

2. What shocking information does Billy get in the flashback in Chapter 12?

3. What happens when Dennis makes a service call to a black church?

4. Explain the symbolism of the postcard Billy sent Maeve many years ago.

5. What does Dennis do on the day that Billy dies?

6. How does this chapter exemplify the differences between how families have changed between Dennis' generation and that of his children?

7. How does Dennis respond when his daughter asks him about his faith now?

8. What does Maeve recall doing to insure that she would see Billy more than once?

9. What is the setting for Chapter 7?

10. How would Billy's life had been different had he married Eva, at least according to Dan Lynch?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The author uses more than one iteration on the theme of love. Identify at least two themes about love in the book. Then cite an example to support each theme you name.

Essay Topic 2

The Long Island house almost becomes a character in the book because it plays such an important role in the story. Explain how an inanimate object can be a character in a story and how the house "interacted" with the "other" characters. Cite three examples to support your claim.

Essay Topic 3

The role of the family--especially an Irish family--is an important element in this story. Cite three examples noting the role of the family in general. Then cite three examples that showcase characteristics of an Irish family in America.

(see the answer keys)

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