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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. How often does Teresa come after Christmas?

2. What color are the curtains in Mrs. Forburg's kitchen?

3. Why does Ellen say she'd decided to protect her father?

4. What kind of earrings is Teresa wearing?

5. What does the Mayor say by way of a holiday greeting?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What does Jeff say about Brian's problems at college and what is Ellen's response?

3. What is George's response when Kate says she loves Christmas? What does he mean?

4. What information is presented about Ellen's paternal grandparents.

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

6. Why does Ellen ask Jules not to come to the funeral?

7. What does Mrs. Forburg say about why teaching is important to her and what does she say about understanding Ellen's challenges as a student?

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

9. Describe some of the reactions to Ellen's arrest.

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Who is Jonathan? What is his relationship with Ellen? What do Jules and Kate think of him? Describe his actions over the course of Kate's illness. What is Ellen's reaction when he tells her he has an internship and wants her to live with him? What motivates this reaction? Is Ellen correct in this reaction?

Essay Topic 2

Ellen's relief that her mother's suffering is over is seen by some as an admission of guilt, especially when she's able to sleep so soundly her first night in jail. Describe Ellen's reaction to her mother's death, to her arrest and to her trial. Which of the reactions is most believable? Which is least? Why doesn't Ellen tell that she believes her father gave her mother the morphine? Why doesn't her father come forward?

Essay Topic 3

When Dr. Cohn suggests that a nurse be hired to help Kate with some of her difficult tasks, Ellen adamantly refuses. Why does she refuse when it's so obvious she needs help? Ellen herself had previously suggested to her father that a nurse be hired. Why is Ellen so against it when it's Dr. Cohn's idea? Is the nurse necessary? What is her impact on the family?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 950 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample