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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. Which flag does Lily carry when she marches in the Armistice Day Parade?

2. Which of Frances's relatives has a crush on her and hopes to marry her someday?

3. Who does Mr. Mahmoud blame for the stolen items in his house?

4. What type of music did Kathleen and Rose listen to?

5. What does Frances name her son?

Short Essay Questions

1. What leads Mercedes to believe Lily is a saint?

2. How does Frances spy on Leo Taylor?

3. How does Frances feel about school?

4. What happens to Francess' baby shortly after its birth?

5. How did Lily react when she met Rose for the first time?

6. What light does Rose shed on the real father of Kathleen's babies?

7. How does the Piper family react to the news that Frances has a job?

8. How does Mercedes feel about school?

9. How does Boutros die?

10. How did Rose and Kathleen fall in love?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the piano introduced in the first few chapters of the novel. Why was this object so important to James, and what did it symbolize in his life? Describe how the piano came from ruins in James's childhood home to ruins in Materia's married home. What effect did the piano have on Materia as a character and on her marriage to James? Be sure to include examples from the text to strengthen your arguments.

Essay Topic 2

The idea of demons and devils is ever present in the novel. First, describe James's demon. Where did the demon come from? What does it tempt him to do? How does James try to overcome his demon's power? Then, compare / contrast James's demon to Frances's devil. Where does Frances believe her devil came from? What does it tempt her to do? What do you think the presence of demons and devils symbolizes in the Piper family history? Be sure to include examples from the text to strengthen your arguments.

Essay Topic 3

Describe Frances's relationship with her Uncle Jameel and cousin Boutros. How do each of these men feel about Frances? In what ways does Uncle Jameel's treatment of Frances parallel James's treatment of Frances? How do each of these men affect Frances's sexual awakening? Which man do you think has a larger impact on Frances's sexuality? Why? Finally, describe Boutros's relationship with Frances. In what ways is his treatment of Frances different than anyone else's? Be sure to include examples from the text to strengthen your arguments.

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This section contains 990 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample