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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 was Lucy's mother?

2. How many years does Cassie's mother wait before she tries to escape?

3. What does the community ask Lucy to do?

4. What validates Lucy's decision?

5. What was the only job that Samuel attempted?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Baby try to re-pay her mother for swallowing the diamond ring?

2. What are the circumstances of the death of Lucy and Will's baby, Archie?

3. Describe Lucy's success at teaching Sunday School

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

5. Why is Will not interested in seeing General Lee during the surrender at Appomattox?

6. How does the author show that Lucy is weary of Will's war stories?

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

8. Why does Maimie decide to kill herself?

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

10. Why does Lucy decide to leave her family and what gives her validation on her decision?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Gurganus uses beautifully descriptive language in the book to help his readers see his world from his perspective. Without referring to the book, describe some situation or location in the book using only your recall of Gurganus' descriptions.

Essay Topic 2

Memories take on an almost human persona in this story. What is this literary technique called? Cite examples that support this position.

Essay Topic 3

The author uses more than one iteration on the theme of loss. Identify at least two examples about loss in the book. Then explain how each example supports the theme of loss.

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