View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does the little girl named Hettie say to Kate?

2. Why does Jules quit her job?

3. What month does Ellen say is suitable for dying?

4. What does Teresa say happened to her mother?

5. Who is the attorney who defends Ellen for the majority of the trial?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happened to ruin Kate's evening out with George?

2. What does Ellen do when she and Jeff go to the cemetery?

3. What is the memory Ellen has about a tree lighting event the first year her mother was one of the Minnies?

4. What is the conversation Ellen and Kate have when Hally gives Kate the photo of her newborn baby?

5. What are Ellen's theories about why Mrs. Duane and Kate don't talk about men while they're having lunch together?

6. What changes on the day when Kate calls for Ellen to help her out of the tub?

7. Why does Ellen say that no one acknowledges the ribbons on her mother's wheelchair wheels?

8. Describe the scene in which George is feeding Kate rice pudding. What does Ellen believe is happening?

9. What is Ellen doing that causes the newspaper stories to say that Ellen was "fleeing?"

10. Who is Chris and what happens between Chris and Ellen?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Kate doesn't want to have to have Ellen's help with personal hygiene such as bathing and dressing. Explain Kate's attitude. When the time comes that Kate has to call on Ellen to help her out of the bath, Ellen does so without complaint. Why is Kate reluctant to call on her routinely after that? What does Ellen say about how their relationship would change at that point? Is she correct?

Essay Topic 2

The months spent caring for Kate changes Ellen's life dramatically. Describe the impact of those months on Ellen. Are any of the effects positive? Are any negative?

Essay Topic 3

Who is it that comes to Ellen's rescue after Ellen's arrest? What is her role in Ellen's life? Why does she take on this new role after Ellen's arrest? What are the repercussions and are they justified?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 825 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample