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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 job does Henry only last a few hours at?

2. What kind of an area is Brushy Mountain Road?

3. What does Henry tell Carrie he will do the next day when they talk in Chapter 7?

4. What part of Sylvia's house does she spent a lot of time tending to?

5. What bothers Don about Sasha?

Short Essay Questions

1. What was the original purpose of Development Drive, where Sylvia's house is?

2. How does Sylvia feel about her son in-law, Henry?

3. What happens in Chapter 12 when Sylvia calls Devon?

4. How does Don feel about Jonnie's little girl, Sasha?

5. What problem has Ava been struggling with for years that becomes apparent in Chapter 3?

6. Where does Ava reveal the most personal details of her anguish over her infertility?

7. What was Sylvia's impression of Alice Graham, JJ's grandmother who took him in after his father killed his mother?

8. How does Sylvia feel about JJ Ferguson?

9. What kinds of things does Sylvia encourage Marcus to do?

10. Who is the first person Ava confides in when she finds out Henry has a son he has never told her about?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay exploring why Ava goes to the reservoir with JJ in Chapter 34 and what realization she comes to after immersing herself in the water.

Essay Topic 2

Of all the characters in the novel, which character or characters seem to have achieved the greatest degree of peace and contentment by the end? Write an essay explaining your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Many black characters in the book harbor pain and terrible memories of the era of segregation. Write an essay analyzing some of the symbols, settings, or customs that most remind them of this era.

(see the answer keys)

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