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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. Why does Mr. Schiller leave the store for one hour every day?

2. What does Mama do with Christine's hospital food?

3. What gift does Mama offer to Katrin instead of what she had really wants?

4. Which two men are doctors?

5. What is Mama's request before choosing a hospital?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Katrin upset when she learns how Mama has paid for her graduation present?

2. Why do the aunts and uncles give Mama money before she asks them for help?

3. What is Aunt Elna's favorite thing to do?

4. What does Katrin enjoy her job at the drugstore?

5. Why does Christine come back to San Francisco to have her baby?

6. Why is Mrs. Beauchamp angry when she discovers who the carpenter is?

7. Why does Mama try to kill Uncle Elizabeth?

8. Why does Christine want to work instead of continuing her education?

9. Why does Katrin get fired from her job?

10. Why does Mrs. Beauchamp handle Dr. Beauchamp's accounting needs?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Christine and Katrin, although sisters, are very different girls. Provide three similarities and differences in the characters, and determine which one you would rather be like, and explain why.

Essay Topic 2

There is an old saying "hindsight is 20/20" meaning that looking back, people can always see clearly and probably avoid many mistakes in life. Discuss two or three instances from the novel where a character could have changed his or her actions if he or she would have seen the outcome beforehand, and explain how the actions would have changed and why.

Essay Topic 3

There is a common theme throughout the novel of anything being possible when it comes to family. Mama often says "is good" or "all is good." What does she mean by this statement, and why is it repeated throughout the book? Describe two or three instances when a family member shows that he or she will do anything to protect or show love for another family member.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 853 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample