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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 does Mrs. Kehoe like to say about feeding the men?

2. What shop does Eileen want Furlong to buy her Christmas present in?

3. What does Furlong's wife look like?

4. What does the Irish Republic guarantee to citizens, according to the 1916 Proclamation?

5. Who goes about town with hardly a word of English in Part I?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Where does this story take place?

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

4. Why is Furlong worried about Loretta?

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

6. In Part II, what kind of existential worry does Furlong have?

7. What does Furlong wonder if Eileen ever wonders about?

8. What are some rumors about the laundry at the convent?

9. What do the Furlongs use to cook upon?

10. How did Furlong meet Eileen?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Once Furlong is fairly sure Ned is his father, what are his reflections on the man and on his own upbringing? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 2

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

Essay Topic 3

How does Furlong's life change after the first time he meets Sarah Redmond in the convent's freezing shed? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

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