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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 is the white exchange student who canvasses with Meridian, asking people to vote?

2. What has Meridian's mother never done?

3. During what decade does the story take place?

4. What happens to Tommy Odds while coming out of a church?

5. Why is Truman perplexed by Meridian's reactions to him?

Short Essay Questions

1. How have Meridian and Lynne changed when Lynne comes for a visit?

2. What is an important theme of the story introduced in the first section?

3. What is the difference between how Meridian and Truman view the story of the woman whose husband loved his dog more than he loved her?

4. What is the meaning of Meridian's burying the gold under a magnolia tree as a child?

5. How does Meridian see herself in the young girl in prison and how does that help Meridian?

6. Why is the death of Lynne and Truman's daughter unfortunately a natural extension of their "unnatural" marriage?

7. How is the premise of Saxon College in stark contrast to the world Meridian knows?

8. What role does the church play in the Civil Rights movement?

9. What is the significance of Meridian leaving her railroad cap for Truman when she leaves?

10. Why does Meridian begin getting very sick while at Saxon?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Walker uses more than one instance of irony in the story. Cite at least two other examples you can identify in the story and note why they are examples of irony. What is the major irony in the story? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

The author uses more than one iteration on the theme of loss. Identify at least two examples about loss in the book and then explain why the examples support the theme.

Essay Topic 3

Walker is a master at dramatic devices. Choose an example of symbolism, metaphors, and irony, briefly describe them and identify the technique which they embody.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,030 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample