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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. What does Ruth do while Nathan is at the funeral home making the arrangements for Ariel's funeral service?
(a) She sits at the kitchen table, writing Ariel's eulogy.
(b) She sits in her bedroom and cries.
(c) She sits in the basement with all of the lights off.
(d) She sits on the porch in her housecoat and slippers, smoking cigarettes.

2. What advice does Gus give to Frank and Jake when they ask for his help?
(a) Gus tells them to make a list of the gossipers and he will take care of them later.
(b) Gus tells them to slash Officer Doyle's tires.
(c) Gus tells them to tell the whole story to Nathan.
(d) Gus tells them to forget about it and focus on Ariel's funeral.

3. After Ruth insults Julia and the Brandts leave, Nathan asks Ruth if there is any way he can help her get rid of her anger. What is her reply?
(a) She says he can pray for her since that is what he does best.
(b) She says that he can stop telling her that everything will be okay.
(c) She says that she thinks her anger will only increase with time no matter what he does.
(d) She says he can talk to his kids more often.

4. What is the spot of red that Frank observes in the river after Jake points it out?
(a) A plastic bag full of strawberries.
(b) A colored beer bottle.
(c) Ariel's auburn hair.
(d) A bloody dress.

5. 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?
(a) Jake asks for maple syrup.
(b) Franks asks for orange juice.
(c) Nathan asks for salt.
(d) Gus asks for ketchup.

Short Answer Questions

1. What sins is Nathan referring to when he says that his own sins have led to Ariel's death?

2. When Jake refers to the possible identity of Ariel's murderer, Frank realizes he has been in denial about the possibility of foul play in Ariel's death. Prior to this moment, what has Frank been thinking happened to Ariel?

3. What is Frank's reply when Jake asks what they should do about the news they have received about jail?

4. What object does Ruth want Frank to put on Axel's windshield?

5. Where does Nathan go after Ruth storms off in anger about what Nathan is reading?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens to cause suspicion to fall on Warren Redstone in relation to Ariel's disappearance?

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. Why is it ironic that Ruth refuses to attend the New Bremen church service at which Nathan preaches right after Ariel's dead body is found?

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

5. 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?

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

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

8. What elements of family life at the Drums' home drive Ruth to leave the family to stay elsewhere for a while?

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

10. Why and how does Ruth lose the one person who has served as her comfort throughout the tragedy surrounding Ariel?

(see the answer keys)

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