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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. How much does Becky inherit from Shirley?

2. What does Marion encourage Bradley to write when they are together?

3. When the novel begins, Russ’s humiliation happened how many years earlier?

4. Who was hired at the church first as an associate pastor?

5. Clem defends kids at school who were called what?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Russ refuse to talk to Ambrose after Russ’s humiliation event?

2. Why does Russ feel justified to begin an affair with the widow Frances Cottrell?

3. What does Frances want to do with the marijuana she finds in Larry’s bedroom?

4. Why does Marion still feel obsessed with Bradley 30 years after their love affair?

5. Why did Russ not appreciate Marion’s loyalty to him in regard to her also not liking Ambrose?

6. What happens to Sharon when Clem breaks up with him?

7. How is Judson treated as a character in the novel?

8. Marion always said that Shirley had no use for women, and only wanted men in her life. How does Marion end up being the same way in her own life?

9. What does Sally say to Ambrose, that Russ told her about Russ’s marriage?

10. Why do Frances and Russ ignore Pastor Theo Crenshaw’s advice to leave the neighborhood boy Ronnie alone?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay explaining the development of the relationship with siblings Clem and Becky. How did their close brother and sister relationship change to move them apart during the course of the novel? Why did Becky grow to hate Clem, and what brought them back together at the end of the novel?

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay regarding how Marion changed and developed after her weekly psychiatrist sessions with Sophie. In flashbacks, what did Marion learn about herself by talking to a psychiatrist every week about her past life?

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay detailing the reasons why Marion released Russ to be happy on his own and pursue a relationship with Frances. Why was Marion happy that Russ was trying to have an affair with Frances?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 939 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample