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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 Rosalie do for Avey?

2. From which of the following could Avey's illness come?

3. What does Rosalie do for Avey after she bathes her?

4. What does Avey recall about Jerome's face as he lay in his casket?

5. To whom does Avey offer up her Beg Pardon?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Lebert's interest in determining Avey's tribe?

2. What is Avey doing in Chapter 4 at the same time she was supposed to be flying back to America?

3. What is revealed about the women on the boat by the way they care for Avey?

4. What did the preacher say was the purpose of the sermon about the risen Christ?

5. What happens to Avey when she finally lets her true nature come to the forefront as she stands on the hotel room balcony?

6. How does Lebert Joseph become Avey's guide, in a sense, to her reclaiming her life?

7. How does Avey meet Lebert Joseph?

8. What does Lebert regard Avey as and how does he convince her to go to the island with him?

9. What was occurring during all those years that Avey was living in denial about her true self?

10. In whose care had Avey been during the night of the boat trip to the island?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The author uses some important instances of foreshadowing in the story. Explain what foreshadowing is and cite at least two examples, making sure to explain what makes each an example of foreshadowing.

Essay Topic 2

Praisesong for the Widow is set in the 1970s during the time of the aftermath of the Civil Rights movement in America. What impact does this factor have on the author? What impact does this factor have on any of the other characters? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

Describe the girls and women in Avey's life. What role do they serve in her development? What lasting impact has Great Aunt Cuney served? How does Avey manage through the ups and downs with each of the girls and women in her life? What do they all have in common? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

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