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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 Billy do when he arrives in Ireland?

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

3. Who does not encourage Dennis to cry?

4. Why does Maeve get upset when she hears Dennis speaking to the dog?

5. Maeve's father always reminded Maeve that ______________________________.

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What does Eva tell Billy about her deception?

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

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

5. What happens when Maeve hears Dennis' voice in the house?

6. How does Dennis' faith in Billy's dream extend past practicality?

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

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

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

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

Project into the future ten years after the end of the novel and write a brief synopsis for the lives of four of the characters. Remember to exclude Billy but you may choose from Maeve, Eva, Dennis, Dennis' daughter, Sheila, etc.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Just prior to meeting Eva, Billy and Dennis return home from World War II. Explain the significance of this war on America in general and Billy and Dennis specifically. What impact did the war have on the choices that Billy and Dennis made? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

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