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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. Where does Mother live after she checks out of the San?

2. Where does Alice see a lot of family jewelry, precious silverware, and valuable artwork?

3. What best describes Mother before she goes to the San?

4. What is the San?

5. How does Mother use overripe fruit, as described in Part One?

Short Essay Questions

1. What kind of a person is Arlette?

2. Is it good for Alice to spend time with Mother?

3. Is Aunt Frances selfish?

4. How does Alice compare Walter and Father?

5. Explain if you believe that Alice is happy living with Aunt Frances and Uncle Billy.

6. How does Alice feel about going back to live with Mother after she is institutionalized and Alice moves in with Aunt Frances and Uncle Billy?

7. What do you think Alice's family was like before her father's death, based on information in the first chapter of the book?

8. Describe the Big House.

9. Describe Alice's friendship with Arthur.

10. Is Alice destined to follow in Mother's footsteps?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Art is used many times in the novel, for a variety of purposes. For each instance listed below, explain it's significance to the novel and analyze the purpose the author intended.

Mother's straw box creations.

Father's poetry.

Uncle Billy's collections.

Alice's love of literature.

Mr. Early's love of poetry.

Nonna's valuable artwork.

Essay Topic 2

Do you think 15-year-old Alice's behavior of staying out late and being involved with boys is understandable, immoral or risky? Explain your answers to each of these three judgments with evidence from the story and your own personal opinion.

Essay Topic 3

Explain how the following events contributed to Alice's coming of age in the novel.

1) Mother going to the San.

2) Moving to the Big House.

3) Arthur's death.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 820 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample