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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. Upon her arrival at Jess' house, with the box labeled "Clara Shipley", who does Hagar find talking to Jess?

2. After losing jobs, and not having money to go to college, what does John decided to do?

3. How does John tell his mother he is distilling his own liquor?

4. When will Elva get to go home from the hospital?

5. What has been John's therapy for his dying father?

Short Essay Questions

1. How would you describe Mr. Murray Lees in Chapter 8?

2. Describe how Hagar feels physically and mentally in the beginning of Chapter 7.

3. What is Hagar waiting for in Chapter 10, and in what other ways has she waited in the book?

4. What turns out to be Hagar's biggest character flaws?

5. Make comparisons between John and his own liquor made from potato peelings.

6. In the hospital, how is Hagar's soft food diet ironic?

7. Hagar finds something in common with Elva, a recognition. How was this foreshadowed at her first visit to the nursing home?

8. Hagar's need to do things herself and not accept help is consistent throughout. How is it depicted at the end of Chapter 10?

9. In Chapter 7, Hagar sees that Arlene is making the same mistakes she did. How is this true?

10. Why do you think Hagar does not allow herself to cry in front of strangers?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Doris and Hagar are very different characters. Compare and contrast:

Part 1) how they dress.

Part 2) how they act toward each other.

Part 3) their different purposes in the novel.

How does their relationship end?

Essay Topic 2

History repeats itself. In what ways is Arlene making the same mistakes Hagar made at her age?

Essay Topic 3

What do the wild flowers in the cemetery reflect in Hagar? In what ways are the alike? Please provide specific examples from the book.

(see the answer keys)

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