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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 does Maya catch herself doing one afternoon, even though her mom is in rehab and is not at home?

2. Once Adam leaves the scene of his altercation with Joaquin, what does Joaquin do?

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

4. Who asks Joaquin to come into his office for a quick minute as Joaquin is leaving school on a Friday?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. How is the theme of isolation depicted within Joaquin's reaction to his sisters' queries after his altercation with Adam?

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

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

4. 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)?

5. What does Joaquin do when he is overcome by the feelings associated with his altercation with Adam?

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

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

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

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

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

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 3

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

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This section contains 1,180 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample