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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. Which of the following is NOT one of the items that Lieutenant Prothero brings with him?

2. Why does Maimie always quit her job?

3. What does Will do with the musket with which he killed men?

4. Lucy has her children research ______________ and give reports on what they find.

5. What is the state of Will's popularity in the South now?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. Describe Lucy's success at teaching Sunday School

4. What prevents Lucy from leaving with the children?

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

6. What decision does Lucy make after she has been home again for a few weeks?

7. Why does Maimie decide to kill herself?

8. What story does Lady Marsden ask Cassie to tell as they wait for Sherman's troops to arrive?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

OLDEST LIVING CONFEDERATE WIDOW TELLS ALL is a classic historical fiction story. What does that classification entail? Why does this story fit into this category?

Essay Topic 2

Describe the overall setting for the novel. Why does Gurganus use the setting he does? What is the time period of the story? How important is the time period to the attitudes and issues of the characters?

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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