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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. How did Soane and Deek's sons die?

2. Why is the friendship between Connie and Soane surprising?

3. Where had most of the residents of Ruby resided prior to starting the town of Ruby?

4. Who was Ruby Best's husband?

5. What is Gigi's real name?

Short Essay Questions

1. How do the men from Ruby justify such drastic action against the women at the Convent?

2. Why is the town of Ruby not a place that attracts travelers?

3. What conditions does Mavis's mother place on Mavis being able to stay at her house?

4. What event cuts short Mavis's reunion upon arriving back at the Convent after a month's absence?

5. Why is Mavis' mother less than supportive when Mavis arrives at her house?

6. What does Connie do to earn a meager income?

7. How did Mavis' twins die, according to the story Mavis tells the reporter?

8. How does Mavis retrieve her car and get it to the Convent?

9. Why was the town of Haven not as affected by the Great Depression as most of the rest of the country?

10. How does Gigi become stranded at the convent?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Examine the final line of the book. How does the final line of the book relate to the entire preceding novel? How does this conception of paradise help explain the novel's title?

Essay Topic 2

How do the people of Ruby recreate the same prejudices and forms of discrimination that the founders were trying to escape?

Essay Topic 3

With exception to events in the opening chapter, how does the Convent fulfill the role of a sanctuary? Who does it provide sanctuary for, and what types of people are most likely to benefit from the atmosphere of the Convent?

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This section contains 700 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample