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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 is the narrator of the story?

2. Who did Grandpa Nye marry after the death of Grandmother Nye?

3. How can Grandpa Nye's lawn be described?

4. Who has been the major influence in Vanessa's life?

5. From what country do Vanessa's ancestors come?

Short Essay Questions

1. What careers did Grandpa Nye have in his lifetime?

2. How does Vanessa's father struggle to manage his grief about Grandpa Nye's imminent death?

3. What is Vanessa's only recollection of Grandmother Nye?

4. Where is Vanessa when she learns about the bombs being dropped on Pearl Harbor and what effect does World War II have on her life?

5. What is especially poignant about the family's leaving Grandpa Nye's hospital room?

6. What does Eugenie reveal about what was found in Grandpa Nye's house when he moved?

7. Why does Vanessa think her grandfather looks like Tecumseh?

8. Why are Vanessa and Lisa uncomfortable in their parents' home?

9. From where did Vanessa's great-great-grandparents come?

10. Why was Grandpa Nye determined to speak at the library cornerstone ceremony?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Project into the future ten years and write a brief synopsis for the lives of Vanessa, Lisa and their parents. Be sure to include emotional states as well as physical characteristics, geographic locations, work, hobbies, socialization, etc.

Essay Topic 2

Create a brief character study of Vanessa. 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 book. Cite at least two other examples you can identify in the play and note why they are examples of irony.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 968 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample