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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 Dennis talk to Dan Lynch about on the drive home?

2. Eva tells Billy that Mary _____________________________.

3. Dennis tells his daughter that he ______________________.

4. What does Maeve do when she hears Dennis' voice?

5. What does Maeve do in the early days of her courtship with Billy in order to get to see him?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Dennis' daughter find in Maeve's bedroom?

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

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

4. When does Dennis admit to losing his faith?

5. What does the episode with the black minister remind Dennis of?

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

7. What does Maeve share about the night that Billy died?

8. Who is the person who ultimately brings some calm to the mourners at Maeve's house?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain the role of religion in the characters' lives. What is the primary religion of the main characters? How do the characters practice their faith? Does it shake them when their faith waxes and wanes in their lives? Cite examples.

Essay Topic 2

Alcohol abuse seems to be an unnamed character in the book. How pervasive is the abuse? Why does it have such a prevalent place in the characters' lives? How does it affect the abusers? How does it affect those impacted by the abusers? Explain how an inanimate object or characteristic can be a character.

Essay Topic 3

Explain what you think Billy meant when he inscribed the post card to Maeve with "Beautiful Friend." What this as much tenderness as he could muster for his wife of so many years? Or did Billy have the gift of Irish romanticism in his soul? Which do you prefer to believe? Why?

(see the answer keys)

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