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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. Who does Sam hire to garden for him?

2. What does Wendell do to show the person who frightened him that he means well?

3. When was the last time Sam had a garden?

4. What does Wendell realize about the plants?

5. What does Kim hope will happen in the photo at the beginning of the book?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Gonzalo end up having to “babysit” his uncle?

2. What is the problem with water in the lot, and how does Sam deal with it?

3. What were Leona’s grandmother’s experiences with doctors?

4. Why does Kim wonder about whether her father sees her?

5. Why does Ana purchase binoculars at the end of the chapter titled “Ana”?

6. Describe the bottle incident, and Sam’s fears.

7. What does Wendell mean when he discusses the phrase “And a little child shall lead them”?

8. At the end of this chapter “Sam,” why does Sam claim the garden is a reflection of Cleveland?

9. Why do you think Wendell becomes attached to the bean plants, as Ana did?

10. How does the chapter “Wendell” begin to show that words are not necessary to bring cultures together?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What do you think the author was trying to get across with this novel? What was the primary theme? Was the author successful? How did the book make you feel? Did the author convince you of his primary point in writing the novel? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Compare and contrast the characters of Ana and Amir. What are their similarities? What are their differences? How do these characters lead readers to different lessons pertaining to the power of human kind?

Essay Topic 3

Suspicion of others is a major theme in the novel, as there are many who are suspicious of their neighbors in this particular area. How does the garden help these individuals to lower their guard with one another? What is the garden able to do that merely living together does not do?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 832 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample