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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. Why does Catherine look at the nurse for reassurance as the plane descends?

2. What did her parents give Catherine when she was eleven and passed her qualifying exam?

3. What does Catherine want to learn how to do?

4. What keeps Catherine off balance and is affecting her work?

5. What does Catherine give to the nurses to say thank you?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Catherine remember one of her music teachers saying about lullabies?

2. What does Catherine hear when the midwife is delivering her child?

3. Who takes Catherine to the ambulance and what does he tell her about the hospital?

4. Why does Catherine decide she shouldn't pray to God?

5. How does Catherine relax while she is experiencing the labor pains?

6. What does Catherine realize will happen the longer she lives without telling her parents about her child?

7. What comparison does Catherine make between the suckling of a baby and her music?

8. What does Catherine realize about the celebration of birth through music?

9. What excuse does Dave give to Catherine for not coming to see her and Anna in the hospital?

10. What does Catherine learn about St. Cecilia and how does it affect her?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the first half of the novel, two worlds clash for Catherine. What are these two worlds? Why do you think they clash? Is this clash ever resolved? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

In what ways does Catherine see Ireland through the eyes of a child? In what ways does she see Ireland as if for the first time?

Essay Topic 3

Why does Catherine have to come to grips with her past? What steps does she take to make this happen? Do you think she took the right steps? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 624 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample