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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 old is Isaac?

2. In 1934, how many cases of quintuplet births have been recorded?

3. How old is Gussie in "Gussie"?

4. How old was Esther when she met Joseph?

5. How many residents did Alliance have when the synagogue was built?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the history behind Stuart's father's hotel?

2. Why does Joseph rent a beach chair for a week in "Joseph"?

3. Why is Gussie staying with her grandparents for the summer?

4. What note did Gussie leave for her aunt Florence?

5. How is Joseph's bread factory laid out?

6. What do Joseph and Esther do after Florence's graveside service?

7. Why does Isaac feel guilty about Hyram's early birth and death?

8. When does Isaac think that Joseph tells Mrs. Simons about Florence's death, and what makes him draw the conclusion that Joseph's secretary has been told about Florence's passing?

9. What does Gusslie like and not like about being in the shadow of Atlantic City's Steel Pier?

10. What was Joseph's relationship with Anna's mother?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Isaac sold land in Florida before the market collapsed. How did Isaac sell land in Florida before the market collapsed? How does he try to do business in Florida land again? What is revealed about his true nature through his business dealings?

Essay Topic 2

Backstories are used to present information about events that happened before events in the novel. How do backstories provide insight into characters and events? What is the importance of backstories in this novel?

Essay Topic 3

Allusions are figures of speech used when an author mentions a person, place, or thing, but does not provide background information about the person, place, or thing. What are some allusions that the author uses in the book? Is research required to understand the allusions the author makes? Does the use of allusions make understanding what is happening difficult?

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This section contains 965 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample