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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. In Chapter 2, what is the date?

2. When did the feud regarding Redford McAlester begin between Susan and Auda?

3. In a vision in Chapter 4, what lanague does Isaac hear two men aruging in as in a vision he stands in McAlester's office?

4. How old is McAlester when he dies?

5. When was Isaac Billy's mother born?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Isaac do when a reporter tries to interview him about the murder?

2. Why did Auda and her mother have an argument about Red McAlester in 1983?

3. Why is Auda arrested?

4. What Durant town sculpture is missing in Chapter 4?

5. In Chapter 4, how does Susan and Auda get out of the jail?

6. Why did Tema and Bordon come to Dallas?

7. What happened to Auda when she was at work on September 21, 1991?

8. What does Adair do for a living, and how long has she been working at that occupation?

9. Where does Auda live, and what brief history of the place does the narrator provide?

10. Who is Redford McAlester?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Information about the ancestors of the Billy family is mentioned in the book. What information is provided about the Billy family ancestors? How well do family members know their ancestors? Why do members of the Billy family treasure the legacy of their ancestors?

Essay Topic 2

How do Shakbatina and other characters use color? What do various colors symbolize?

Essay Topic 3

In the novel, some characters are more thoroughly described than others. Who are some characters that are merely named in passing or have a minor role in the novel? What is the importance of these flat characters to the story line? In what way do these characters make the main characters more colorful or interesting? When there is conflict, what type of role do these flat characters play?

(see the answer keys)

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