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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. During the period when Grace watches television all day instead of studying, what people is she speaking of when she thinks that "those people's problems always seemed much worse, yet much more easily solvable, than her own" (181)?

2. What is NOT among the list of things Maya has thought of saying to Claire the first time they speak after the break-up?

3. What favor does Grace ask of Rafe during one of their diner meetings?

4. What is Grace's response when her mother asks about the boy she has been seen hanging out with?

5. How does Grace react when Rafe guesses correctly that she is "worried that the adoptive parents [she] chose for Peach are going to split up"? (186)

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What word does Maya's dad use in reference to Maya's birth mother that infuriates Maya?

3. What are the living arrangements in Maya's family after her parent's separation?

4. When Grace muses that she is now a girl who does not "have friends anymore" (183), she makes one exception. Whom does she say is her friend?

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

6. What lie does Joaquin tell Mark and Linda about his recent visits with Ana, his therapist?

7. 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)?

8. What does the narrator mean when stating that Grace feels "trapped in the amber of her pregnancy" (182)?

9. During Mark and Linda's second inquiry into Joaquin's feelings about their possible adoption of him, what is the question he finally poses to them?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Trace the characterization arc of Grace’s character throughout the novel. Discuss whether she is a round or flat character and whether she is a static or dynamic character.

Essay Topic 2

Determine the author's message regarding the themes of guilt and responsibility within Far From the Tree.

Essay Topic 3

Write a critical essay about Robin Benway's novel Far From the Tree while using the critical power theory lens of feminist theory. Use textual evidence to back up your strong, specific claim regarding the novel's treatment of gender roles, the objectification of women, female empowerment, misogyny's role within society, or any other issues related to feminist theory that can be found in the book.

(see the answer keys)

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