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 does Dennis' daughter see stuck in the mirror in Maeve's bedroom?

2. Who stays to help Maeve through the night after Billy's funeral?

3. What is an important theme in this chapter?

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

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

Short Essay Questions

1. How do Dennis' kids manage their father's grief after their mother dies?

2. How did a friendship between Maeve and Dennis begin to form?

3. When does Dennis admit to losing his faith?

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

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

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

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

8. What does Maeve recall about her first date with Billy?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In keeping with the title of CHARMING BILLY, what exactly did Billy do to earn that title? Cite three examples that support Billy's charm. Why did the author name the book CHARMING BILLY instead of something more haunting and perhaps more fitting for Billy's life?

Essay Topic 2

Describe the setting for the novel. Be sure to include geography, time period and any pertinent popular culture events. Why did the writer choose this setting?

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 809 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample