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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. For what purpose does Nathan give Frank and Jake money when he goes to talk to Ruth?
(a) So they can buy lunch for themselves on their way to Ariel's funeral.
(b) So they can get haircuts before Ariel's visitation service.
(c) So they can buy ties before Ariel's funeral.
(d) So they can get their shoes shined before Ariel's burial.

2. Who brings Emil to the Drums' house to be with Ruth every time he comes?
(a) Lise.
(b) Julia.
(c) Karl.
(d) Gus.

3. When Frank returns home from his first church service after Ariel's death, what does he tell Jake?
(a) Frank tells Jake that their parents are heading for divorce.
(b) Frank tells Jake that Karl is the one who killed Ariel.
(c) Frank tells Jake that he should be nicer to Ruth.
(d) Frank tells Jake that he is his best friend.

4. What emotion does Gus tell Nathan that he feels toward the strength of Nathan's faith in God?
(a) Gratitude.
(b) Anger.
(c) Amazement.
(d) Humility.

5. How does the whole town find out about Karl's secret he divulges to Nathan?
(a) Frank and Jake overhear Karl's secret and tell Officer Doyle, who spreads the news.
(b) Karl decides to announce his secret at a town gathering.
(c) Nathan spreads the secret around the town.
(d) Ruth overhears Karl's secret and tells Emil, who spreads the news.

Short Answer Questions

1. Where are Morris Engdahl and his girlfriend when they are finally located by the police?

2. What is the only emotion Jake seems to exhibit following the news that Ariel is dead?

3. What is the spot of red that Frank observes in the river after Jake points it out?

4. What kind of weekly appointment does Jake have in Mankato?

5. Upon leaving their grandfather's house and starting to walk home, Jake suddenly stops in the middle of the road. What reason does he give for stopping?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the first action Frank takes when he gets home as a result of listening to Nathan's sermon?

2. Who acts as the go-between, bringing news back and forth between the police station and the Drum family and how does this role fit the character's relationship to the family?

3. What news does Gus bring to Ruth while Nathan is at the funeral home making arrangements for Ariel's funeral?

4. How do the themes of racism and larger injustice surface in the aftermath of Ariel's disappearance?

5. What causes Ruth to get less and less hopeful about Ariel's safe return as phone calls continue to stream into their home?

6. In what ways are the complicated nature of the grief cycle demonstrated to the reader through the experiences of Frank and Jake?

7. Why is Frank so surprised to see Ruth and Gus sitting together at the kitchen table when he and the rest of the family return from Sibley Park?

8. How does Warren Redstone play a role in the altercation between Frank and Morris Engdahl?

9. What revelations does the sheriff communicate to Nathan when they meet in Nathan's office at the church and who becomes a suspect as a result of these revelations?

10. Why is Frank initially not very worried about Ariel when she does not return home the night of the Fourth of July?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,618 words (approx. 6 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample