View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What was Murray's son's name, and how did he die?

2. What is John's plan for Arlene, so she doesn't leave?

3. When Marvin visits Hagar the next day, what does she tell him that moves him emotionally?

4. After Mr. Troy leaves the hospital after visiting Hagar, who comes to visit Hagar?

5. Why did John continue to lose jobs?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Chapter 9, why do you think Hagar apologize to the nurse?

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

3. In the beginning of Chapter 6, Hagar is concerned about intruders coming into the house where she is at the cannery. She thinks that Bram would have taken care of anyone, if he had been there. What do you think this says about how she felt about Bram as a protector?

4. How does Hagar view the nursing home?

5. John's death effected Hagar deeply. However, she was not able to show the emotion until she drinks wine with Mr. Lee. Why do you think that was?

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

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

8. Why does Hagar try to be helpful to her roommate?

9. What do you see creating distance and hardness between Hagar and her sons, as well as everyone else?

10. In the hospital what is the ultimate humiliation for Hagar, that causes her to have to give up total control? Does she accept this gracefully?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Hagar's emotional restraint is seen throughout the novel. Name two instances where she exhibits emotional restraint and how she could have done things differently and what the outcome could have been.

Essay Topic 2

Hagar sites poetry throughout the novel, site the examples and their significance.

Essay Topic 3

Compare John Shipley to his father Bram.

Part 1) In what ways are they alike in the beginning?

Parts2) How are they more alike toward the end of the novel?

Part 3) When do you think Hagar notices their similarities?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 824 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample