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. Why does Miles join an Episcopal Church?

2. What do the gun thugs do with Johnson?

3. Who does the coal company doctor refuse to treat?

4. What does Miles tell Carrie about Lloyd?

5. What does Carrie's brother Mike not like that upsets his father?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who is unhappy about Flora's wedding, why is she, what does she tell Flora and what is Carrie's response to that to Flora?

2. What does Rondal do on his first day in the mines and how does he feel at the end of the day?

3. What does Miles tell his father is a good way to make money, what is his father's response and why did Miles end up feeling guilty about the whole idea?

4. Why does Carrie learn to hunt, what does Miles' father want him to do after high school and what does he do?

5. What is the medical situation for black coal miners, how does Dr. Booker get medicine for a cholera epidemic and what does Booker show C.J. about black coal miners?

6. What are the railroad companies doing to the farmers and how do the get it done?

7. Describe how Albion came to stay at Carrie's house?

8. How does Dillon feel about what the coal companies are doing and what does he do in response to their actions?

9. What happens at a club meeting when the men are debating World War I?

10. What does Carrie say she first remembers about Ben Honaker and her sister?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Storming Heaven is a historical novel that tells the story of struggling West Virginia coal miners in the early twentieth century, which is a story that has often been neglected by history books. This novel gives a fictional but accurate account of how the miners stood together and how business and political interests used deadly force to preserve the oppressive conditions. Discuss the following:

1. How do the interest of business and politicians coincide in Storming Heaven? Use examples from the text to support your response.

2. Do you think there are any incidences or events in present day America in which big business and politicians seem to combine their power in ways in which it might not be in the best interest of the lower economic classes? Why or why not? Use examples to support your answer.

3. There have been a number of incidences in American history where the government has used deadly force against its citizens even as recent as the 1960's and 1970's. Do you think it is possible the government would ever use force against its citizens in the present time? Why or why not?

4. The miners, after many atrocities began to meet violence with violence. Do you think this was the wrong approach? Why or why not?

5. Do you think the miners had the moral right to use violence when it was used against them? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Titles are thought to be very important in both giving the reader a clue about the story and enticing one to read a book. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think Storming Heaven is the chosen title for this novel?

2. Do you think this title would entice you to read this novel? Why or why not?

3. Do you think this rather nondescript title reflects the story it heralds? Explain your response using examples from the book.

4. If you had to title this novel in order to encourage more readers, what would you name it and why?

Essay Topic 3

Plots are sometimes said to be either character-driven or action-driven. Discuss the following:

1. What do you think it means to say that a plot is character driven? Action driven?

2. How do you think a plot differs if it is character driven versus action driven?

3. Which type of plot do you find more interesting? Why?

4. Do you think Storming Heaven is more character-driven or action-driven? Explain.

4. Do you think it is possible to have a plot where action and character development share equal time? Why or why not.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,432 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample