View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. How did Lila respond when he asks her how he could repay her for tending to his garden?

2. What does John state is one of the best traits of good people?

3. What trait does Jack possess that John states is almost a curse to him?

4. How does John spend the whole night after overhearing the conversation between Lila and Jack?

5. What was the expectation placed on John and Louisa from childhood?

Short Essay Questions

1. What moves John to tears during his conversation at the church with Jack?

2. What does John recall about how his grandfather was invited to speak at a town picnic?

3. What are John's thoughts on "The Trail of the Lonesome Pine"?

4. John writes an extensive contemplation of the Ten Commandments, focusing on the Fifth Commandment. What are some of his thoughts?

5. What is the nature of John and Jack's first discussion at the church?

6. What does John believe about the soul in Paradise?

7. What is the nature of the conversation John and Boughton have while Lila, their son, and Glory have gone to the movies?

8. How does John attempt to love Jack?

9. How does John give Lila instruction prior to her baptism, and what is the nature of this instruction?

10. What are Jack's reasons for coming home to Gilead?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In pages 202 - 215, we have John revealing parts of his character, especially in his relationship with his wife. Discuss those revelations as they deal with his wife. Look for any other summaries of the novel's themes as found in this section, and identify any points which point toward John going through a transition in his beliefs.

Essay Topic 2

Compare John's relationship to his son to the relationship John had with his father. Discuss the similarities and differences. Was John sorry for the way he was brought up by his father? Does John have any regrets as to how he is bringing up his own son? Discuss.

Essay Topic 3

John seems to harbor some resentment to the fact that he is Jack Boughton's namesake. Discuss why this is the case, how this resentment manifests itself, and how he deals with the responsibility of helping forge Jack's character.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 868 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample