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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. What does Mary use to buy decorations for the house?

2. What does Mary's old boss tell her at the job interview?

3. What did Charlie once do in a fit of rage?

4. How often is a trip made by car to the station?

5. Who discovered the body?

Short Essay Questions

1. Of what is every white woman in South Africa brought up to be afraid?

2. What new types of farming excite Dick?

3. How does Mary's perspective on her new life change?

4. What spoiled Mary's happiness with her single life?

5. What does Mary think influenced her decision to get married?

6. Describe Mary's background and early childhood.

7. Describe the scenery surrounding the farm.

8. What type of store does Dick build on the farm? What does Mary think about it?

9. Why is it strange that no one discusses the murder?

10. How does Dick feel now that Mary is at the farm?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay providing the historical context for THE GRASS IS SINGING by Doris Lessing. Be sure to address:

1) Evidence from the text that provides the time setting for the novel.

2) Major historical events of the novel's time period.

3) How the attitudes and ideals of white culture, especially in regards to other races, have changed since the time period of the novel.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay describing the history of the tobacco plant and its complicated relationship both with humanity and the characters in the novel.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay explaining why you think Moses sought revenge upon Mary. Be sure to draw upon evidence from the text and add your own ideas.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 810 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample