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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 Sylvia finally tell Marcus about Devon?

2. What does Ava do at the reservoir?

3. What does Sylvia pick up Lana in her car to do with her in Chapter 22?

4. What did Lana call her shop?

5. What does Sylvia tell Charlotte about Marcus when she visits Charlotte in Chapter 35?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens when Joy's car breaks down and she needs to call her brother to give her and Devon a ride home in chapter 30?

2. What kinds of emotions does Sylvia experience the first time Ava brings her to JJ's house on Brushy Mountain Road?

3. When JJ calls Ava in Chapter 19, how does she realize her feelings for him differ from her feelings for Henry?

4. What does Lana tell Sylvia about what is happening with Ava in Chapter 29?

5. What does Devon spend a large amount of time doing as a young man that many people would view as dangerous?

6. What does Sylvia tell Ava about her opinion about Ava and JJ's relationship in Chapter 28?

7. What is Ava's impression of James Martin, a man from her mother's past?

8. Why is JJ hesitant to bring Ava to Simmy's to eat the first time he sees her in Pinewood after decades?

9. How does Charlotte react when Sylvia goes to visit her in Chapter 35?

10. What does Lana suggest that she and Sylvia do together in Chapter 29 to calm themselves a bit?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay exploring why JJ Ferguson seems to feel such strong positive emotions towards a town - Pinewood - where he experienced such tragedy and misery.

Essay Topic 2

One of the themes of this novel is the lack of opportunities and options for people, especially black people, in a depressed manufacturing town that has been losing jobs and residents for years. Do you think any of the characters on this novel would say achieving the American Dream is still possible? Write an essay explaining why or why not, citing references to the text in your answer.

Essay Topic 3

When did you first realize what had really happened to Devon? Write an essay exploring why Watts might have chosen to reveal Devon's fate so late in the novel. Cite specific references to the text to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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