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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 does Hanna think she might get to town one day when she is at the river?

2. What does Hanna do one day when she wants away from her father's new girlfriend?

3. Where does Immers spend most of his time?

4. What does Immers try to give more space in which to grow?

5. How does Manfred's mother respond to her husband?

Short Essay Questions

1. Where does Manfred Weiler's family live?

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

3. Why does a painter paint over Anton's bedroom window?

4. What is Anton Immers' hobby?

5. How does Rolf learn about his father?

6. How and why does Anton cull his violets?

7. What did Rolf tell Hanna not to do?

8. How does Manfred's father endanger Manfred?

9. What does Manfred's father do with the money and then what does he ask his wife when he returns home?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Many readers of fiction place themselves in the position of one character, wondering if they would do the same thing as that character. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think one of the values of literature is to serve as a reflection of oneself? Why or why not?

2. Socrates said "Know thyself." How can reading a book such as Floating in My Mother's Palm help a reader to know him/herself? Do you find yourself reflecting on your own character and abilities when reading Floating in My Mother's Palm? Why or why not.

3. Choose one specific incident in Floating in My Mother's Palm to discuss and compare one of the characters' response to how you think you would respond.

Essay Topic 2

Floating in My Mother's Palm belongs to the general fiction genre. Discuss the following:

1. Define the literary term "genre" and give several examples of three other genres in addition to the general fiction genre.

2. Discuss two reasons why it might be useful to label a text by genre and two reasons it might be disadvantageous to label a text by genre.

3. What do you think is the difference between a general fiction novel and a mystery?

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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