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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 is Father Tom's favorite word?

2. What does Miles forget when he leaves Martha's Vineyard?

3. Where does Max want to move?

4. What does Tick do when Candace cuts herself with an Exacto knife?

5. Who offers to give Miles driving lessons?

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain why the poison ivy is a metaphor in Part 1, Chapter 8.

2. Explain the irony in Miles' not having driven a car before taking driver's education.

3. What inappropriate behavior does Jimmy reveal that makes Miles like him even less?

4. How is Miles trying to improve the economy of Empire Falls?

5. What is the Exacto knife and why does it signify foreshadowing for the plot?

6. What is the role of Timmy, the cat, in the story?

7. What revelation does Miles get when he examines an old photo in the newspaper?

8. What are the three elements consuming Janine's life at this point in time?

9. Describe how Zack Minty exhibits unsportsmanlike behavior and then manipulates the crowd at the football game.

10. Why does Janine call Miles The Human Rut?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe Tick Roby. She seems amazingly well adjusted for her circumstances. What are her motivations? What are her fears?

Essay Topic 2

Principal Meyer notes that "the apple didn't fall far from the tree" in the case of Jimmy Minty and his son, Zack. Explain what Principal Meyer means by this statement.

Essay Topic 3

Why does Miles have a love-hate relationship with Max? Does Miles blame Max for his mother's indiscretions? Does Max hold any silent hostility toward Miles? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

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