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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. Who does Huw walk regularly with in nature?

2. What is the family box filled with?

3. What nationality is Mr. Jonas partly?

4. Who leaves after a heated discussion at home in Chapter 5?

5. Who does Huw love?

Short Essay Questions

1. What causes Davy, Owen, and Gwilym to leave home in Chapter 5?

2. What is Huw doing at the beginning of the novel (as an adult)?

3. How is the village portrayed in Chapter 1?

4. Why is Davy upset in Chapter 2?

5. How does Gwilym senior react to Huw's first day at National School?

6. Who is Mrs. Jenkins?

7. What causes Huw to start thinking for himself in his childhood?

8. How is the Pritchard murder dealt with?

9. Describe Huw's relationship with his father in Chapter 5?

10. How does Huw's experience with Marged affect him?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The characters in this novel experience significant emotional tension because of problems at the colliery. How is emotional tension displayed in the novel? Why is there emotional tension amongst the Morgans? How does each character cope with the tension and stress? Make sure you answer each question with evidence from the novel.

Essay Topic 2

Huw's innocence is gradually lost throughout the novel. How does the theme of innocence run through the novel? Describe the Huw at the beginning of the novel. How is his innocence gradually lost? What causes Huw to lose their childhood innocence? Make sure you answer each question with evidence from the novel.

Essay Topic 3

The murder of Delys Pritchard makes up a dark period in the history of the valley. The way it is dealt with shows the morals of the valley. How does the community react to Delys Pritchard's murder, and how do they find the murderer? How does the community react to any outside help (ie, the police)? How are the themes of morality and revenge reflected? Make sure you answer each question with evidence from the novel.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 651 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample