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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 the soldier show to Thomas and his friends?

2. What advice does Axel give Rudolph?

3. What did the black soldiers offer Gretchen?

4. What stops Mary from killing herself?

5. With whom is Thomas now having an affair?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the nature of Thomas' affair with Clothilde?

2. What does Thomas do to Teddy Boylan as revenge for Teddy's seducing Gretchen?

3. How is Gretchen's meeting with Teddy Boylan so prophetic for her brother's lives as well as her own?

4. What is the foundation of the relationship between Teddy Boylan and Rudolph?

5. What happens to Thomas as a result of his beating Mr. Greening?

6. What behavior does Gretchen seem unable to shake?

7. How is Rudolph's career taking off at Calderwood's company/

8. What is the state of Mary's physical and mental health?

9. How does Rudolph capitalize on his relationship with Teddy Boylan?

10. How is Thomas able to repay the $5,000 his father paid for his release several years earlier?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The story begins in America during World War II. Explain the significance of this war on America in general and the Jordache family specifically. What impact did the war have on the choices that the Jordaches made? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

What do you think are the three main sorrows in Mary Jordache's life? Cite examples to support your answers. Explain how Mary grows from these experiences.

Essay Topic 3

Explain the author's use of point of view in this story. Identify the point of view used and explain why this book qualifies. How would the book have changed if the author had selected a different point of view?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 919 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample