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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 Karen tell Jamie about his accent?

2. What had Jamie's mother chosen over Jamie throughout most of her life?

3. What seems to be the only part of Granda which has not changed?

4. What smoking product does Jamie prepare for Granda?

5. What does Granda ask Jamie to do for him?

Short Essay Questions

1. What surprise does Jamie get at Granda Hugh's funeral?

2. What are some of the things that Jamie loves about his girlfriend, Karen?

3. What is Jamie's overall opinion of the afternoon spent with his mother?

4. What is Jamie's mother's condition when he meets her?

5. What event precipitates Jamie's contacting his estranged mother?

6. What is especially troubling to Jamie about Granda Hugh's story about John MacLean?

7. How have Jamie's thoughts changed regarding becoming a father?

8. What emotional event does Jamie witness regarding Granda Hugh's work?

9. Describe Jamie's visits with Granda Hugh.

10. What is the nature of the drunken journalist's derogatory comments directed at Jamie?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare and contrast Granda Hugh and Robert. Both men want influence over Jamie at different points but have their hold on him in very different ways.

Why are their differences classic examples of conflict in literature? What other similarities and dissimilarities are there between the two characters?

Essay Topic 2

Create a character study of Gran Margie. What are her physical characteristics? What are her motivations? What are her fears? What are her dreams? What else can you say about Gran Margie?

Essay Topic 3

Does O'Hagan end the book on a note of hope for Jamie or the continuance of his struggle to come to terms with his flawed relationship with his father? Give your perspective and two reasons to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 952 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample