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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 big event of the year for Cassie's tribe in Africa?

2. How old was Cassie when she was captured in Africa and sold into slavery?

3. Will leaves Appomattox before ____________________.

4. Where does Will want to take Ned?

5. What fascinates the tribe members after their big event?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Lieutenant Prothero behave inappropriately toward Unison Randolph?

2. What are the circumstances in which Maimie is terminated by Angus McCloud?

3. What lie does Ned tell his mother and what did he actually do?

4. What is the story of the woman at the train station which makes Lucy change her mind about leaving her family?

5. What prevents Lucy from leaving with the children?

6. Describe Will's journey home after the end of the war.

7. Why did Bianca try to push Lucy toward social refinement and how did Lucy feel about it?

8. How do Will's financial decisions make the family vulnerable?

9. Describe Lucy and Will's separation after Ned's accident.

10. Describe how Cassie and her family members were taken aboard the big boat in Africa.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How does Gurganus use the literary technique of local color in OLDEST LIVING CONFEDERATE WIDOW TELLS ALL? What elements comprise local color? Give some examples of the local color in Falls establishments, in the characters, and in the events.

Essay Topic 2

Create a brief character study of Will Marsden. What does he look like? What are his positive personality traits? What are some of his negative characteristics? What are his hopes and fears? What motivates him during his lifetime?

Essay Topic 3

The theme of the passage of time will be an important one in the novel. How does the author begin to build this theme? Give examples of the passage of time throughout the book.

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This section contains 1,051 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample