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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 was the name of the doctor who examined Joan after Derek raped her?

2. What trees shade the house in Chapter 1?

3. In Chapter 11, how long has Miss Jade been coming to August to have her hair done?

4. What was the last car Myron bought Hazel?

5. In Chapter 2, what type of vehicle does MIriam drive?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Jax upset when Miriam wears red shoes in Chpater 5?

2. Why is Miriam in Memphis in Chapter 8, and where is Jax?

3. What car does August drive in Chapter 9, and why is it special?

4. What does Miriam think it will be like to go back to school?

5. In Chapter 10, what does Miss Dawn tell Joan to do, and what is the result?

6. What is August's shop like?

7. Who is Derek, and what does Joan remember about him?

8. In 1995, what does August think after she receives the phone call from Miriam telling her that Jax hit her?

9. Why did August quit college and start styling hair?

10. What wakes Joan in Chapter 6, and what does she see when she goes downstairs?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Joan is a girl of ten at the beginning of Memphis: A Novel and a young lady preparing for college at the end of the book. How do the events in the book help Joan mature and grow in the novel? What role does learning to forgive have in her growth?

Essay Topic 2

Myron North built the Memphis house. What does the Memphis house mean to Miram and Joan? Why do they feel differently about the house?

Essay Topic 3

Miriam has an epiphany during Derek’s trial. What epiphany does she have? Why does she realize that she should be ashamed for not leaving Jax, for not taking better care of her daughters, and for not supporting August like she should have?

(see the answer keys)

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