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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. Some of the books are non-fiction, but many of them are classic literature, such as Charles Dickens' Bleak House and Jane Austen's _______________.

2. They would dance among what?

3. The marriage was a happy one, until what?

4. Ruth takes a job where?

5. Why did May always think Willard would come back to her?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Artie get Ruth involved in an activity?

2. Who is Dee Dee Foote? What does Dee Dee Foote bring out in May?

3. How does Ruth's time at Miss Finch's affect her?

4. What leads to Ruth torturing Matt?

5. Why did Ruth have to pay special attention in school?

6. What does Ruth remember about a mistake she made cooking one night? Why is she afraid to tell Aunt Sid this story?

7. How did May come to spend a great deal of time with Willard Jenson?

8. Describe Honey Creek.

9. With what was May burdened? Why? How did she feel about this?

10. What does Ruth do after high school?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Ruth and Matt graduate.

Part 1) How is each of them affected by this graduation? Why? What does this reveal about their futures?

Part 2) How do the family dynamics change? How does May feel about this? Why?

Part 3) Could Ruth have had a better future? Why or why not? Should Matt have acted differently toward his family at this point? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Ruth's father left when she was ten.

Part 1) Describe Ruth's family. Why might her father have left?

Part 2) How did her father's leaving affect Ruth, her brother, and her mother?

Part 3) What is a significant event that has taken place in your own life? How has it affected you?

Essay Topic 3

Ruby's family dynamics greatly affected him.

Part 1) Describe Ruby's childhood. How do events and people in his childhood affect him as an adult?

Part 2) How does Ruby bring this baggage into his life with Ruth? How does May exacerbate these problems?

Part 3) Could Ruby have overcome this difficult childhood? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 993 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample