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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. Why did the families who settled Ruby leave Haven?

2. Why does Mavis begin walking instead of driving the Cadillac?

3. What type of animal does Deek hunt?

4. What does Mavis do upon first seeing Gigi?

5. Who was the only person to die in the town that became Ruby, Oklahoma during a period of two decades?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why do the men from Ruby go to the Convent?

2. What is immediately noticeable about Gigi?

3. Why does Deek drive to the bank even though it is a short distance?

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

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

6. When there is a problem in Ruby who handles it?

7. In addition to growing vegetables, what is one of Connie's main tasks at the Convent?

8. What causes the men to think that the women at the Convent are perhaps not as hard working as the women in Ruby?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the tone of the novel "Paradise". Does the tone remain consistent throughout the novel or does it change from chapter to chapter? What effect does the tone have on the story?

Essay Topic 2

The racial situation in the United States during the time that "Paradise" was set was different from the situation today. Today we have the benefit of hindsight. Given what we know today, was creating their own towns the best alternative for black people given their limited options, or was it merely a form of self-imposed segregation?

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?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 732 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample