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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 Jean think she hears coming from the neighbor's house?

2. What makes Jean's mother decide to get Jean a new mac?

3. Who does the protagonist Jean live with?

4. What do Jean and her mother do routinely on Sunday mornings?

5. What does Melanie do at the end of her fist service at Jean's church?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe how the church community misunderstood Jean's deafness. What did they say about her?

2. In an attempt to fit in at school, what does Jean change about her art projects? How does that go?

3. Describe the incident of the mac and its replacement.

4. Describe Jean's mother.

5. How does Jean make friends with Melanie?

6. Describe the dream Jean has again and again about marriage.

7. How does Jean get to go the fair once a year? What happens to her there one year with a palm reader?

8. Describe a typical Sunday in Jean's home.

9. What does the perfect girl the prince finds tell him?

10. Who is Elsie? Describe her.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The author uses parables throughout her story in ORANGES ARE NOT THE ONLY FRUIT. Write a parable for your own story.

Part 1. Give us the general situation of a time in your life when you were going through something you would like to represent through a story.

Part 2. Create and tell the story that will shed understanding or light onto your situation for the reader.

Part 3. Explain your story and how it relates to your situation in life. Do you think your story was effective in adding depth or meaning to the description of your situation?

Essay Topic 2

The central themes in the novel deal with sexuality and gender roles.

Part 1. Describe the views that expressed by the members of Jean's church.

Part 2. Analyze the views described. Are they sexist or prejudice?

Part 3. What philosophies exist contrary to this position? What is anti-essentialism?

Part 4. What effect do holding these views have on religious institutions such as Jean's church?

Essay Topic 3

The author frequently uses stories, often ones that sound like parables, to make her points in her story.

Part 1. Give some examples of some stories she tells to enhance an aspect of her story.

Part 2. Analyze the story she tells in reference to her story. What does it mean? What is she adding to her narrative?

Part 3. In your mind, how effective is this tool in her story telling?

(see the answer keys)

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