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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 was the name of John's wife?

2. Where did Albert's son-in-law Tad play football?

3. What did Erwin do for Albert when they would meet weekly?

4. Where did John Caldwell find a solid oak table in Part 3, Chapter 17?

5. When did Albert take a trip to Ireland with Sydney?

Short Essay Questions

1. What had Erwin learned about people and stories throughout the years, and how did he feel about being their confidante?

2. How did John feel about accepting anything from his father?

3. Where did John Caldwell work in 1978, and what job did he really want?

4. What did Fil find in her father's desk, and why was she upset?

5. Who was Tracy married to and what type of guy did John think he was?

6. What does Hazel like to pretend about her husband at the end of Part 3, Chapter 25?

7. What did Erwin see coming toward him as he stood trying to decide what to do with the fish he came to throw away?

8. Who did Manny and Erwin see coming toward the apartment building in the storm?

9. How did Manny remember that a man named Lieutenant Spitz died when he was in Vietnam?

10. Why did John have to walk to the hospital to try to find his father?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Hazel has known Turk her entire life. What relationship has Hazel had with Turk throughout her life? How has that relationship changed over the years?

Essay Topic 2

Metaphors and similes are figures of speech that are used to make comparisons between things. Metaphors seem to imply an equal comparison, while similes seem to imply a similarity between two things. Does the author use more metaphors or similes in the novel? How does the use of metaphors or similes help readers comprehend concepts? How does the use of metaphors or similes help readers make the writing more interesting?

Essay Topic 3

Hazel struggles to believe that her husband is dead. Why does Hazel struggle to believe that her husband is dead? How does her grief affect her life?

(see the answer keys)

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