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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. Who comes to Black Cove as Ada and Ruby ready the winter garden?

2. Why does Ada decide not to return to Charleston after her father's death?

3. What contest do Ada and Ruby have one night in the chapter, In Place of the Truth?

4. Where did Inman meet Ada for the first time?

5. What story does Ada read to Ruby in the chapter Ashes of Roses?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why did Inman decide he would like to meet Ada?

2. When Inman stops to make corn mush, what does he smell that leads him further down the river?

3. What does Inman learn happened to the preacher and his lover?

4. Who joins Inman on his journey in the chapter, Exile and Brute Wandering?

5. What group of people stop at Black Cove on their way to Camden, South Carolina?

6. Who helps Ada after the death of her father?

7. On her last night in Charleston, Ada went out on the lake with what person? What do they discuss?

8. Who attempts to seduce Inman by putting some sort of drug in his drink?

9. Why does Inman seek out the blind man and speak to him about the war and his feelings on being born without eyes?

10. What is the main topic of conversation when Ada and Ruby visit Monroe's friend, Mrs. McKennet?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Homecoming is a theme of the novel. Why does Inman want to return home? What is he hoping to come home to? How does Inman see the rest of his life playing out? Why does Inman decide to return home early from the war even though he will be considered a deserter? What does Inman's actions say about his emotional health? What do Inman's actions say about his feelings regarding the war?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the Home Guard. What is the purpose of the Home Guard? Is Inman afraid of the Home Guard? Should Inman be afraid of the Home Guard? Why does Junior sell Inman to the Home Guard? What has Inman done to attract the attention of the Home Guard? What did Veasey do to deserve to be arrested by the Home Guard? Did the Home Guard have the right to shot their prisoners, including Veasey? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

What was Ada's relationship with her father like? How is it different from Ruby's relationship with her own father? How is it similar? Did Ada's relationship with her father affect her personality? If so, how? Was Ada's relationship with her father harmful? In what way? How could Ada's life have been different if her father had been different?

(see the answer keys)

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