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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. To which of her siblings does Maya feel the closest?

2. What is NOT a reason Maya's mother insists that she cannot have a dog?

3. What action does Maya demand of Lauren during their argument about Maya's identity as an adopted child?

4. What activity does Grace's mom try to get Grace to do with her during Grace's period of depression?

5. In what way does Joaquin physically interact with Adam after Adam insults Grace?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is the theme of secrecy depicted within Claire's accusations toward Maya during their fight that ends in a break-up?

2. How does Lauren view Maya's treatment of Claire in relation to her own relationship with Maya?

3. What are the contents of the text Maya receives from her dad, setting in motion the chain of events that lead to Maya and Claire's break-up?

4. What are the characteristics of Lauren's communication with Claire that Maya considers unforgivable?

5. How does Maya characterize her relationship with Lauren?

6. How does Joaquin feel after his altercation with Adam and why?

7. What is the symbolism of the iced tea Joaquin loathes?

8. How does the author employ allusion within Grace's thoughts about Joaquin's lonely childhood existence?

9. What turns out to be the mysterious event involving Joaquin and the Buchanans?

10. After Claire and Maya's break-up, Lauren asks about the origin of Maya's sunburn. What is the significance of Maya's cryptic reply that she had flown "too close to the sun" (200)?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

William Faulkner once famously claimed that the most important literature deals with the subject of the human heart in conflict with itself. Explain how the theme of Human versus Self is demonstrated within Robin Benway's novel Far From the Tree. Create a decisive, arguable claim and prove it with quotes from the book.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the author's choice to tell the story of Far From the Tree using the third-person omniscient point of view Also discuss the author's choice to switch back and forth among the perspectives of Grace, Maya, and Joaquin. What elements of the novel's themes lend themselves to this choice and what is the author's intended effect on the reader?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the author's use of humor alongside humanist messages within Robin Benway's novel Far From the Tree.

(see the answer keys)

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