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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 does Mavis begin walking instead of driving the Cadillac?

2. Instead of being supportive of Mavis's decision, what does Mavis's mother say?

3. Who gives Gigi a ride away from Ruby?

4. At the Convent, what does Roger load into his vehicle?

5. Who did Connie have an affair with?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. How does the plot not flow in a chronological manner in the chapter "Ruby"?

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

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

7. In addition to being respected as founders of the town of Ruby, what is another way that the Morgan twins have power over the townspeople?

8. Why did the founders of Ruby decide to name the town Ruby instead of New Haven?

9. How does Gigi become stranded at the convent?

10. In addition to growing vegetables, what is one of Connie's main tasks 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

Develop an argument that proposes that the vast differences between Ruby and the Convent can be traced back to their origins. Ruby was founded intentionally by those trying to avoid oppression of a racial majority. The Convent came about mostly by accident as a place where several traumatized women found sanctuary.

Essay Topic 3

Some of the residents of Ruby seem to think that the root of all their past problems were white people. Based on the outcome of the novel and what we learn about human nature, is this believe and oversimplification? Which characters best illustrate your stance on the subject?

(see the answer keys)

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