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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. Who does Ruth phone in this chapter?

2. Why does Ruth return to Virginia?

3. Who talks Ruth out of seeing Rocky again?

4. What does Ruth's mother say when she waves the chicken over her head?

5. What is the name of the man whose father took over the Shilski's store?

Short Essay Questions

1. Summarize the book.

2. How does Andrew help Ruth get over her mother's death?

3. How does Ruth cope with her abortion?

4. Describe the time James tried to teach his mother how to drive.

5. What problems does James say he had as a child of mixed race?

6. Describe Halina's time in an underground prison.

7. Describe the blood sacrifice of a chicken.

8. In what way does James think his mother is a success?

9. Describe the character of Andrew.

10. Why does Ruth struggle to find a place she wants to be buried?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss with the students first person point of view. Why do the students think first person point of view is not necessarily reliable? What moments in the book do the students think are not so reliable and why? With the students discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using the first person.

Essay Topic 2

Pick a character from the novel and discuss his goals and motives. Does he achieve his motive? Why? Does he share similar goals and motives with other characters? Do his goals clash with other characters? How do the characters' goals and motives affect their interaction with each other?

Essay Topic 3

Examine what the following generations experienced during their time in America:

1) Ruth's grandparents

2) Ruth's parents

3) Ruth and her siblings

4) James and his siblings

(see the answer keys)

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