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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. Jayber feels that most people go to church mostly for _________________.

2. What does Jayber find most striking about Mattie Keith?

3. What is the name of the town where Jayber lives?

4. What is the atmosphere at the orphanage?

5. What river is Jayber intent on seeing after he leaves Lexington?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Jayber discover as he revisits the sites of his childhood?

2. Why is J both vulnerable and comfortable when he meets with Burley and Mat?

3. Why is J torn between the ministry and a secular life?

4. What are Jayber's perceptions of the war?

5. What does Jayber do after he has made the decision to leave college?

6. What is the symbolism of the river in Jayber's life?

7. What does J encounter when he leaves Lexington bound for home?

8. What is the internal impetus that drives J to return to his roots?

9. Who does Jonas live with after his parents die?

10. What is Cecelia's opinion of her husband, Roy, and why does she consider Jayber to be her enemy?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The author uses more than one iteration on the theme of disappointment. Identify at least two characters who either embody or experience disappointment and cite an example to support your answers.

Essay Topic 2

The frustration of unfulfilled affection touches several characters in the story. Name at least two characters who experience unfulfilled love and the situations that occur as a result.

Essay Topic 3

Project into the future ten years after the end of the novel and write a brief synopsis for Jayber's life. Will he still be alive? Who will be present in his life? Where will he be living? What will his thoughts about the world and religion be by this time? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 970 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample