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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 orphan from the orphanage had respiratory problems causing him/her to sleep in a special tent to help with breathing?

2. Melony makes Homer promise that he will stay at the orphanage as long as what in Chapter 3?

3. After the abortion, who comes into the recovery room to be with Candy in Chapter 5?

4. What woman from a high-society family in Boston invites Dr. Larch to a croquet party in Chapter 2?

5. Wally keeps talking about what that the orphanage should plant on the hill in Chapter 5?

Short Essay Questions

1. Where does Dr. Larch decide to go when leaving Boston in Chapter 2? Who invites him to a party and why, in this chapter?

2. Why does Dr. Larch ask Homer to perform an autopsy in Chapter 5? What does Homer find?

3. How is Homer's first meeting with Candy and Wally described in Chapter 5?

4. In what ways does Dr. Larch record the history of St. Cloud's as described in Chapter 1?

5. What does the exposition reveal about Dr. Larch's past in Chapter 1?

6. How does the author describe Wilbur Larch's early life in Chapter 2? What led to Wilbur's sexually transmitted disease?

7. How does the setting of Heart's Haven and Heart's Rock compare to the orphanage in Chapter 4?

8. What does the character of Melony symbolize in Homer's life in Chapter 3?

9. Why does Dr. Larch keep the women having abortions separate from the women giving birth in Chapter 3?

10. In what ways is St. Cloud's symbolic? How does the author establish this in Chapter 1?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Define and discuss tone, metaphor and simile, and analyze the imagery and symbolism in Chapter 5. What is foreshadowed by the wind? How does the imagery of the beginning of the chapter lend to its tone? How is the stationmaster described? What kills him in the novel?

Essay Topic 2

Describe, analyze and discuss the character of Melony in the novel. How old is Melony when she is introduced in Chapter 3? What is Melony's relationship with Homer? How did the disappointments of Melony's adoptive parents contribute to her attitude towards life? What are Dr. Larch's feelings about Melony?

Essay Topic 3

Describe and discuss Melony's decision to run away from the orphanage and her theft from Mrs. Grogan. How does Melony feel about this action of deceit? What are the reactions of Dr. Larch and Mrs. Grogan after Melony's disappearance? How does Mrs. Grogan react to her money being stolen?

(see the answer keys)

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