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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 job does Furlong remember from one summer in technical school?

2. Who is Furlong's middle child?

3. When were there yellow trees?

4. What is the dirtiest work for Furlong?

5. What does the Irish Republic vow to cherish equally, according to the 1916 Proclamation?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is unusual about December in New Ross?

2. What is the predominant religion in Ireland?

3. What do the Furlongs use to cook upon?

4. Where does this story take place?

5. Who does Furlong stop to give a ride and change to on the road in Part I?

6. What does Furlong ask Eileen for as a Christmas gift?

7. What kind of reputation does the laundry at the convent have?

8. What tradition do the five Furlong daughters do every Christmas?

9. As a boy, what did Furlong once really want badly for Christmas?

10. What is one reason Furlong never finds out for sure who his father is?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay comparing and contrasting Furlong's attitudes towards those less fortunate with those of his wife Eileen's.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay explaining Keegan's tone and use of language throughout this novella.

Essay Topic 3

Why do Furlong and his wife feel it is quite important for their daughters to go to the school affiliated with the convent? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 395 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample