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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 Rosa tell Mira in Chapter 19 about her grief?

2. Why does Lala pretend to be sleeping in Chapter 18?

3. What is one reason for Mira's extreme unhappiness in Chapter 19?

4. Who teaches Adan the ways of thievery?

5. Which man ends up prompting the fight between Esme and her new husband?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who does Sergeant Beckles cheat on his wife with?

2. How does Lala get the money for Baby's funeral?

3. What incident prompts Adan's first beating by his Auntie Petra?

4. What story does Adan start telling just between himself and Lala about Baby's death?

5. What are some reasons Lala does not leave Adan after he starts beating her?

6. Why does Tone bring Jacinthe to Lala's and Adan's house in the first place?

7. What does Tone remember most about Lala from their youth?

8. Who keeps coming to see Lala after Baby's death when Adan is not at home, and how does Lala greet this person?

9. What proposition does Adan bring to Tone in Part IV?

10. What do Tone and Lala often do together when they become friends as youngsters?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What are some of Mira Whalen's most significant regrets following her husband Peter's death, and how does Mira handle the trauma of that event in its immediate aftermath? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 2

What does Lala's wedding ring, and the manner in which Adan procures it, symbolize about their entire marriage and relationship? Write an essay explaining your answers.

Essay Topic 3

What do you think Wilma wants Lala to understand from her story about the one-armed sister early in the novel? What is the actual effect of this story on Lala? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your answers.

(see the answer keys)

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