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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. The apple pickers are not staying in the cider house because of what reason in Chapter 9?

2. Who is reading to the boy orphans at the beginning of Chapter 6?

3. What orphan from St. Cloud's did Melony once break her collarbone?

4. When Homer asks some of the women workers about the cider house rules, they explain that who writes the rules every year?

5. Who writes Homer a letter to find out why he hasn't filled out his questionnaire yet in Chapter 8?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who begins to press Dr. Larch toward retirement in Chapter 6?

2. What is symbolic about the trees at the orchard in Chapter 8?

3. Why does Homer take offense to Dr. Larch's telling him he can have a normal life in Chapter 8?

4. What is discovered about the behavior of Wally Senior in Chapter 7?

5. What leads Candy to discover Homer's love for her in Chapter 8?

6. What is symbolized in the coming of spring in Chapter 9?

7. Where has Melony traveled in Chapter 7? Why?

8. What is foreshadowed in Nurse Caroline's warning in Chapter 9?

9. What is Dr. Larch setting up for the character of Fuzzy Stone in Chapter 7?

10. What does Homer learn about the history of the cider house rules in Chapter 7?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analyze and discuss the symbolism of the cider house rules. Why does the author use this as the title of the novel? What is significant about these rules? What is Homer's reaction to the rules? Also discuss racial relations during the time period in the novel. Where do the apple pickers live during the off season? In what ways are they segregated from the white population?

Essay Topic 2

Analyze and discuss the symbolism of Dr. Larch in the novel. What does Dr. Larch represent to Homer and the other orphans? How is he viewed by the nurses at the orphanage? What does Dr. Larch represent to the mothers who come to the orphanage?

Essay Topic 3

Describe and discuss the settings of Ocean's View Orchards and the cider house, and the character of Grace Lynch. To what does Homer compare the cider house? How does Homer feel about Grace? How does she feel about Homer?

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