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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 created the Biceps R Us nickname?

2. Why does Sae Young want to join the garden?

3. What was Lateesha always talking about?

4. What is Curtis’ point in growing his specific plants?

5. Why can Mr. Myles not speak?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Curtis, as he is now, in terms of his priorities.

2. Explain Sae Young’s life prior to her “accident”?

3. Why does Virgil eventually feel pity for his father?

4. Describe what Nora does to allow Mr. Myles to garden.

5. What is Curtis’ reaction to his tomato plants?

6. What is the point of the program for teen mothers?

7. Describe Sam’s contest, and the winning idea.

8. What is Nora’s relationship with Mr. Myles?

9. How does Leona help Maricela see things differently?

10. What happens to the lettuce in the chapter “Virgil”?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Throughout the novel, the characters mention fighting a number of stereotypes. Choose three characters from the book, and explain how their lives have been impacted by the stereotypes either about them, held by others, or held by them about others. How do these stereotypes damage their relationships with others? What, if anything, changes them in the novel?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 722 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample