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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 praise does the Italian woman give to Amir?

2. What does the Mexican family do that entices others?

3. What does Amir find himself doing with Royce and another?

4. What do most of the gardeners plant?

5. What does Amir do for a living?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What is Mr. Myles’ reaction to the garden?

4. Why does Virgil’s father lie to Mrs. Fleck, and what does he say?

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

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

7. Why does everyone in the garden want to help the girls in the chapter “Maricela”?

8. What does Virgil find in the ground, and what does he eventually use it for?

9. Explain why Curtis and Lateesha originally broke up.

10. What does Amir learn about his misconceptions of cultures?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

A primary theme in the novel is the ability of human kind to change their circumstances, if they choose. In the book, several characters change not only their own lives, but the lives of others through their actions. Choose two characters, and explain how their presence in the garden, and their actions, have helped change the lives of others. What does this say about the power of human kind, if they work together? Why is this important?

Essay Topic 2

Kim and Curtis both use the garden to prove something. Discuss these characters in detail, and explain what the garden is helping them to prove, either to themselves, or to others, living or deceased. What are these characters able to show through their gardening? How are they able to connect to their loved ones?

Essay Topic 3

Maricela’s story is a very powerful one in the novel. Describe Maricela’s life at the beginning of the novel. Why does she feel so persecuted? What does she hope for? Who changes this, and why? How does the garden help her to begin to accept her state, and her future?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 774 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample