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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 were Rey Ruiz's people?

2. What does Lurie say about camel hair?

3. What happens to the springhouse in Part I?

4. What does Lurie refer to as a spirit's yearning that he is compelled to carry out?

5. Where does Nora grow up?

Short Essay Questions

1. What serious crime does Lurie commit in Part One that gets Marshal John Berger searching for him?

2. In Part I, what does Lurie wish he could remember his father talking about more than anything else?

3. What kind of creature does Lurie see for the first time when he steals away on the ship in Part II?

4. What kind of disposition does Lurie say camels would not suit?

5. What is Hobb's "want" that Lurie is compelled to fulfill?

6. What does Lurie steal on the ship he takes cover on whose owner he later bumps into in Part I?

7. What power does Josie claim to have that Nora is skeptical about?

8. Who is the voice Nora often hears and has silent conversations with?

9. Why does Nora choose to sign her rebuttal letter to The Sentinel from Ellen Francis?

10. What one word does Emmett question Nora's use of in her rebuttal letter she wants him to print in The Sentinel?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay analyzing how Obreht explores the theme of sacrifice throughout the novel, focusing mainly on the Lark family and citing specific references to the text to support your answers.

Essay Topic 2

In the section titled Afternoon, what do you think Obreht is trying to convey through Lurie's conversations with the writer, who painstakingly records Lurie's stories but dies shortly thereafter? Write an essay explaining your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay analyzing the significance and symbolism of nicknames and assumed names throughout the novel, especially in the cases of Jolly and Lurie.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 594 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample