View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Delphine once had a relationship with a _________ man, but that went wrong so she does not want that again.

2. The vet helping Lester encourages Les to eat in a ___________ restaurant until he is comfortable with the people.

3. Lisa heard that Coleman forced Faunia to _____________, though the rumor was untrue.

4. What does Delphine accuse Coleman of sending in her name, even though she says she did not write it?

5. Iris once told Coleman that it was the _________ that bothered her most about a friend's husband troubles.

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Nathan come to realize is the reason why Coleman stayed away from him?

2. What does Coleman think when he sees the members of the Elderhostel classes walking to the dining hall?

3. What was the issue with the girl in Lisa's reading recovery group that made her question her teaching abilities?

4. Why doesn't Faunia like to spend the night with men she is dating?

5. What happens to the personal ad Delphine sends out in order to find love?

6. What happens to stop Coleman from going to Delphine's office to confront her?

7. What is one of the lessons that Les has to endure as a part of his new therapy with a fellow Vietnam vet?

8. How does Nathan encounter Coleman and Faunia at the open rehearsal of the Boston Symphony?

9. What does Les think he has to do in order to be able to feel things again?

10. What are the three men on the campus of Athena College talking about as Coleman is sitting on a bench?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Coleman's determination to live a life the way he wanted to live it had effects on everyone, even if that wasn't his intention.

Part 1: Why do you think Coleman was all right with the idea that his family basically disowned him?

Part 2: Why do you think that Coleman decided to choose to be white instead of black?

Part 3: How do you think Coleman's friends would have reacted had they known he was part black?

Essay Topic 2

Even in his darkest times, with rumors swirling about him, no one seems to stick up for Coleman.

Part 1: Why do you think none of his academic colleagues stood up for Coleman?

Part 2: Why do you think Coleman's children instantly believed the rumors instead of giving their father a chance to explain?

Part 3: Do you think anyone likes Coleman enough to help him? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

The theme of secrets is pervasive in this story. It seems that everyone has something to hide.

Part 1: Would Faunia's life have been better had she not hidden her literacy? Why or why not?

Part 2: Would Lester's life have been better had he not hidden himself in Vietnam? Why or why not?

Part 3: Would Nathan's life have been better had he not hidden his sexual dysfunction? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 703 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample