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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. In Chapter 14, what does Alec want for Christmas dinner?

2. In Chapter 17, who is Vera's one regular customer?

3. How old was the man Alec hired to teach Earl farming?

4. In Chapter 17, how long does Vera wait to share the decision she makes?

5. In Chapter 11, what time does Alec awake in Chapter 11 in front of the television?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Vera buy a television and where does she put it?

2. Why does Vera prefer John F. Kennedy for the United States president?

3. How does Alec feel once he realizes that Vera and Daniel are gone for good?

4. How does Vera's business pick up at the cafe?

5. Why did Stutz call out the town's fire brigade after Earl set the field on fire?

6. Why does Daniel not tell his mother that he is seeing his grandfather?

7. Why does Daniel start running?

8. Why is November a difficult time for Vera?

9. What conversation do Alec and Daniel have about Earl in Chapter 11?

10. Why does Vera wait two weeks before announcing that she will borrow the money from Stutz?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

Flashbacks are a literary device used to provide information about events that took place before the story began. How does the author use flashbacks in the novel? How does the author’s choice to use flashbacks affect the plot?

Essay Topic 3

Alec always told Vera to have the courage to follow your convictions. Why did Alec always believe it was important to have the courage to follow your convictions? How is that courage demonstrated through Alec, Vera, and Daniel?

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