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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 does Fiona ask Thomas to do for her?

2. As she goes to get milk for Maria's family, who does Vonni overhear discussing marriage?

3. From whom does Fiona seek comfort?

4. What is the last image of Dieter that Elsa has?

5. What quality of Thomas' do people admire in Chapter Five?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do the men find surprising about Elsa's story?

2. How does Elsa see David?

3. What does the dance that the local men perform in front of Maria's house symbolize?

4. What does Fiona begin to think about as far as her future is concerned in Chapter Six?

5. What is David's parents' reaction to his call home?

6. Although David and Elsa are both 28-years-old, what is the main difference in how they've lived their respective lives so far?

7. Why does Elsa reject Dieter's marriage proposal?

8. What advice does Vonni give Fiona after her miscarriage?

9. How does Shane further alienate himself at the beginning of Chapter Five?

10. What is Thomas' family situation like?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How does the tragedy that occurs at the beginning of the novel unite the tourists?

Essay Topic 2

Many of the main characters have, at some point, disappointed others. Choose two characters and explain how their disappointment of others changed them and their outlook on life. Are these characters able to rectify these situations? If so, how?

Essay Topic 3

How are the mother-daughter relationships portrayed differently from the father-son relationships throughout the novel?

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