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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 Vivian say to Esther about her protest movement work after talking with Preacher Thomas?

2. What does Ruth name her baby?

3. What is the white man's name in Part III who likes and pursues Chloe?

4. Where does Gerry have to commute to work now that Mr. Gaines's has closed?

5. Who buys Chloe and her friends drinks all night after hers and Ether's performance at the Supper Club?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Esther become increasingly involved with in Part IV?

2. What does James say Chloe the first time he sees her perform?

3. What doe Esther do when Horace leans in to kiss her?

4. What does Esther offer Mr. Bailey in order not to sell The Champagne Supper Club?

5. Who reconnects Chloe with James, and why?

6. What does Vivian tell Esther to do when she and Chloe get back from the Dunbar audition?

7. How is Mary a part of Ruth's and Gerry's lives?

8. What shocks the wedding party at the end of the celebration?

9. How does Ruth feel after having her baby and giving up singing?

10. How has Vivian thought of Chloe among her three girls up through the end of Part IV?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How do different characters express love, care, and a respect for tradition through cooking and sharing food? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 2

What are the main sources of rivalries and tensions between the three sisters Ruth, Esther, and Chloe in relation to each other and to their mother, Vivian? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 3

Why do you think Sexton chose to structure the novel in alternating chapters focusing on four main characters, but kept the same third-person perspective throughout? Write an essay explaining your answers.

(see the answer keys)

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