1. What is one activity that is NOT among the activities offered at the annual Fourth of July celebration?
(a) A pie-eating contest.
(b) A dramatic reading of the Declaration of Independence.
(c) A fireworks show.
(d) Vendors selling their wares.

2. What does Nathan do when Ruth asks him to just say an ordinary grace just this once?
(a) He asks Ruth not to be rude.
(b) He tells Jake to say grace.
(c) He tells Frank to say grace.
(d) He asks if anyone else wants to offer a grace.

3. Where do Frank and Jake run to after seeing the dead body at the train tracks?
(a) Halderson's drug store.
(b) Emil Brandt's house.
(c) Their father's church.
(d) Their house.

4. What gossip do Frank and Jake hear that causes them to run and seek Gus' advice for what they should do about it?
(a) They hear townspeople talking about Karl's twin brother.
(b) They hear townspeople talking about Nathan's affair with Edna Sweeney.
(c) They hear townspeople talking about Karl's homosexuality.
(d) They hear townspeople talking about Ruth's affair with Emil.

5. What topic is at the center of the large argument between Ariel and Ruth on the day of Ruth's chorale performance?
(a) Which of the two women is more ambitious.
(b) Which of the two women is the better cook.
(c) Which of the two women knows Emil more thoroughly.
(d) Which of the two women is the better singer.

Short Answer Questions

1. What happens just before Ruth stands up from the kitchen table and announces she is leaving the family to go to her father's house to stay for a while?

2. Besides wanting to play, what is the true reason for Frank's and Jake's visit to see Danny?

3. What word does Ruth instruct the family to use when talking about Skipper, the dead man the boys had found on the tracks?

4. What war experience does Travis Klement have?

5. Who is the only family member present when the sheriff and his people pull Ariel's dead body from the river?

(see the answer key)

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