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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 doesn't Grandfather want to talk about?

2. Which of the following describes the style of Grandmother's kitchen under normal circumstances?

3. Who does Bill remind Helen of?

4. What does Tom represent according to Elmira as she takes him with her to the lodge?

5. What does Douglas use as a light as he writes down his reflections in his tablet?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Sam not surprised to return home from his job as the postman to find his wife, Elmira, hurt?

2. What are the different views on Helen's death and how it relates to happy endings by Douglas and Tom?

3. What happens when Elmira starts to make her speech after she drinks the special brew she made to thwart any spells Clara might cast?

4. How does Douglas come to recover from the fever?

5. What does Douglas wonder about his own memories and how they can or do travel?

6. How does Great-grandma tell Douglas to find the new person who will take over the chore of fixing the roof shingles in the spring which she used to be responsible for doing?

7. Why does Colonel Freeleigh call Mexico City twice before he dies?

8. Why do Tom, Douglas and Charlie believe that the man that Lavina killed is not the Lonely One?

9. Describe the scene where Elmira confronts Clara and how Clara reacts.

10. How can Douglas tell that Bill is devastated by Helen's death?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Generation gaps are explored throughout the novel. In what way is this important to the understanding of the characters of this novel? How do you personally relate to members of your own family who are from other generations? Use specific examples.

Essay Topic 2

How are the themes of fear and death developed throughout the novel? Use specific examples from the text to support your statements. Do you believe the author does a good job at developing these themes? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

What powerful recognition does Douglas come to at the end of the novel? How is this recognition important? What does it represent in his life?

(see the answer keys)

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