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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 was James named after?

2. Who needs to dissolve Ruth's parent's marriage?

3. Who taught James to drive?

4. Where do Ruth and Andrew apply for a new house?

5. What is the name of the 21-year-old woman?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the character of Andrew.

2. How does James feel about his father?

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

4. Who is David Wind?

5. Describe the wedding James and Ruth attend in this chapter.

6. How does Ruth react to Irene's death?

7. In what way does James' life take a turn for the better in Delaware?

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

9. Describe Andrew and Ruth's relationship.

10. How have Ruth's parents lives changed?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Why does Ruth treat her past with such disregard? How has Ruth's view of the past affected James and his siblings? How has Ruth harmed herself by disregarding her past?

Essay Topic 2

Examine McBride's writing style. How would you describe his prose style? What kind of vocabulary does he use? Does he use any specific writing techniques? What meaning does McBride's style give to his story?

Essay Topic 3

How does Ruth's Jewish upbringing influence her approach to life? How does Ruth's approach change when she converts to Christianity? In what way does James suggest his mother struggled with her conversion to Christianity?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 743 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample