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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 "old idea" does Ruth bring up to Amanda in Chapter 17?

2. What does Archie wish he had brought with him in Chapter 21?

3. What does G.H. say they are going to add to the house in Chapter 22?

4. What medicine does Archie take in Chapter 27?

5. In Chapter 23, what does Amanda ask if the noise could have been?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Chapter 24, what does Ruth say is the last thing she would like to hear on earth?

2. In Chapter 18, what does Ruth most desire?

3. In Chapter 26, what happens to Archie?

4. In Chapter 26, what does Rose do as a diversion for herself and the others in the house, and how is this gesture received?

5. In Chapter 23, what does G.H. suggest is the source of the unsettling thing that happens that even he does not believe?

6. In Chapter 24, what does Clay tell the adults at the house about his trip to town?

7. In Chapter 20, how does Clay feel about the vacation as he drives around, lost?

8. What is the main reason Clay gets lost in Chapter 20?

9. In Chapter 27, what does the narrator reveal about what is happening back in New York City?

10. In Chapter 21, what does Rose see in the woods that she points out to Archie?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How does Alam approach issues of race and class as they relate to Clay, Amanda, Ruth, and G.H.? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay exploring the various ways Alam builds and sustains suspense throughout the novel, citing specific references to the text to help support your answers.

Essay Topic 3

Why does G.H. Washington think that his former building contractor, Danny, might be able to help them, and what does G.H. think when it turns out that Danny reacts very differently to his visit than G.H. had anticipated? Write an essay explaining your answers.

(see the answer keys)

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