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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. How did Hanna and her mother once get to a fancy restaurant?

2. Why does Manfred's father hang Manfred out the window?

3. What does Manfred's father keep begging of his wife?

4. About what does Hanna think when she gets back to shore?

5. What career does the pastor's sister give up?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who is Veronika and why does she eat all the pastries that Hanna's mother serves?

2. Where does Hanna find Rolf, what do they do there and upon what do they agree?

3. What happens to a young couple who are in their car and who do the townspeople think is responsible?

4. What does Hanna do when Rolf says his request?

5. Where do Hanna and Renate search for Hans-Jurgen and what is the outcome?

6. Why does Hannelore leave her brother's home?

7. From where does Hans-Jurgen escape and who decides to search for him?

8. Where does Manfred Weiler's family live?

9. How does Manfred's father endanger Manfred?

10. How and why does Anton cull his violets?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze the theme of growth in Floating in My Mother's Palm. Consider the following questions as you write: What characters are most concerned with growth? Why? What are some symbols of growth? Symbols of rigidity? What characters seem rigid?

2. Trace and analyze the theme of love in Floating in My Mother's Palm. Which characters struggle with this issue? Why? Which characters seem to possess courage? Why?

3. Trace and analyze the theme of death in Floating in My Mother's Palm.

Essay Topic 2

In Baby Mansion, the reader learns that Hanna was once inappropriately touched by the local bike store owner and that this man made his own granddaughter pregnant with his child. This also follows with the theme of danger. However, this also touches the theme of love as Hanna embraces both Karin and her infant daughter, trying in her innocent way to find a way to keep them together but failing.

1. Do you think Hanna's mother handled Hanna's encounter with the bike store owner? Why or why not? Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

2. Do you think if Hanna's mother had said something to Karin's mother it might have saved Karin? Why or why not? Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

3. Discuss the ways in which Hanna demonstrates love in her dealing with Karin and the baby. Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Often, authors will write about "what they know," and sometimes knowing a little about the author makes the books more interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Research and give a brief biographical sketch of Ursula Hegi.

2. What in Hegi's background may have helped her in writing Floating in My Mother's Palm? What may have influenced the way she depicts various characters and scenes?

3. Do you think there is always some of the author's own life in his/her novels? Why or why not? Give examples.

(see the answer keys)

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