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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. In what condiment do Grace, Joaquin and Maya find they all like to dip their french fries?

2. How does Grace react when Adam comes into the Starbucks at the mall?

3. In what city does Maya's mom enter a rehab facility for her alcoholism?

4. What is the last name of the foster family housing Joaquin at the time of his violent incident?

5. Joaquin has always thought that if he does and says the exactly correct things, then no one will know that he is what?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. 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?

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

6. 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)?

7. What does Joaquin view as ironic about everyone making college plans around him at school?

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

9. What reasons does Joaquin provide when he tells Grace and Maya that he told Mark and Linda he did not want them to adopt him?

10. For what transgression does Maya blame Claire for an extended period of time near the end of the couple's relationship and why?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Look carefully at the passages of the novel that describe the close relationship that develops over the course of the novel between the three siblings Grace, Maya, and Joaquin. What is the author's purpose for discussing at length the nature of these siblings' growing connection?

Essay Topic 2

How is the topic of biological ties treated within the novel and how does its treatment relate to the book's depicted messages?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the many instances of irony within the narrative of Robin Benway's novel Far From the Tree and analyze the author's purpose for including each instance you discuss.

(see the answer keys)

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