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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 Ana's aunt give her in Part I that Ana cherises?

2. What is the greeting of Ana's people to say "hello" while out in public?

3. How long each day does Matthias permit Ana to write after her first betrothal ends?

4. How does Ana keep track of Jesus's absences?

5. What does Herod Antipas do to Ana that makes her shove him in Part II?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is one possible reason for Judith's dislike of Ana?

2. Why does Ana refer to Judas as a brother?

3. What is Ana's first impression of Jesus, and why does she feel this way about him?

4. What deal does Matthias make with Herod Antipas regarding Ana that repulses Ana?

5. In Part I, what does Ana view as a betrayal by both of her parents?

6. Why is Jesus a "mamzer" and what does this term mean?

7. In Part I, which female family member is Ana closest to and why?

8. Which servant in Ana's house does Ana trust and rely upon, and why is this?

9. What does Ana ask for in return for posing for Herod Antipas's mosaic and why does she ask this?

10. How do Ana's parents view her after her betrothal ends?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How would you describe Ana's complex feelings towards motherhood and childbearing, especially after the stillbirth of her infant daughter? Write an essay explaining your answers.

Essay Topic 2

What effect does Jesus's time traveling with John the Immerser have on his life path and his approach to religion? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 3

How could the information in the Author's Note potentially change the way a reader views some of the central themes in the novel? How would you describe Monk Kidd's major motivation or motivations in writing this novel? Write an essay explaining your answers.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 705 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample