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. Maeve clearly won Billy's _____________, if not his heart.

2. What does Dennis do when he comes into Maeve's house?

3. Why is Dennis especially upset about Billy's grief over Eva?

4. What does Dennis talk to Dan Lynch about on the drive home?

5. What does Billy do when he arrives in Ireland?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Dennis' daughter's relationship with Matt, the tenant's son?

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

3. What does Dan share about Billy and Maeve's relationship the night of the funeral?

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

5. What does Eva tell Billy about her deception?

6. Explain the role of Maeve's father in her relationship with Billy.

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

8. What is the setting for Chapter 7?

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

10. When does Dennis admit to losing his faith?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is the role of Dennis' daughter? Why is she never named? Why does the author use her to help steer the story instead of any of the other characters? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Explain the irony of Dennis' decision to tell Billy that Eva had died. What was Dennis intention? What was the short term result? What was the long term result? How did Dennis contribute to Benny's death? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,008 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample