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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 type of accident does Parker have at work?

2. Parker decides to get a tattoo of ___________ on his back.

3. What also burned when Francis burned Mason's body?

4. Who is at the bottom of Mrs. Turpin's class categorization of people?

5. What does Francis discover on the way to dig Mason's grave?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Parker perplexed about his wife's reaction to his tattoo of God?

2. How are Julian and his mother at odds over integration?

3. Describe Mrs. Turpin's demeanor.

4. What irony does Francis discover about Mason's life after Mason's death?

5. What is the premise of EVERYTHING THAT RISES MUST CONVERGE?

6. Why are Mr. Fortune's grandchildren upset about the land deal with a gas station owner?

7. How does Parker's wife react when she hears about his new tattoo and his accident at work?

8. What is the premise of PARKER'S BACK?

9. How does the schoolteacher react to Mason's death?

10. Explain the irony of Mr. Fortune's discipline of Mary.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Disappointment takes on an almost human persona in these stories. What is this literary technique called? Cite examples that support this position.

Essay Topic 2

Create a brief character study of Ruby Hill. What does she look like? What are her positive personality traits? What are some of her negative characteristics? What are her hopes and fears? What motivates her--if anything--at this point in her life?

Essay Topic 3

The author uses more than one instance of irony in the stories. Cite at least two examples you can identify in the book and note why they are examples of irony.

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