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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 did seven of Esau and Calia Ruffin's eight children earn?

2. What signals the end of the letters about the war?

3. What does Willie hear while in his office?

4. Why does Baggy say the family has decided to leave the trial in their hometown?

5. What is Willie's next story about in Chapter 9?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Rhonda Kassellaw as she is explained in Chapter 2.

2. How are the Padgitt family members described in Chapter 3?

3. Describe the news story that Willie runs in Chapter 6 and what happens because of it.

4. Describe what happens after Malcolm Vince is murdered in Chapter 22.

5. What happens when Willie goes to Callie's house in Chapter 29?

6. What happens when Willie and his photographer learn about the murder and rape?

7. Describe Lydia Vince's testimony in Chapter 16.

8. What happens when Harry Rex asks Mr. Durant to forgive Sam for the affair?

9. Describe the letters that Willie receives after the trial.

10. Describe the lunch in Chapter 11 at Callie Ruffin's house.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Callie dies before Willie can tell her that he has sold the paper. What did it signify that Callie was never told that Willie had sold the paper? Describe the relationship between the two characters.

Essay Topic 2

During the course of the story the main character, Willie, changes quite a bit. Explain Willie's character at the beginning of the story and then give an explanation of it as it appears at the end of the story. In what ways has he changed? In what ways has he remained unchanged?

Essay Topic 3

Why is Danny Padgitt the only member of the Padgitt family that is singled out and given any background or extended description on? What is the role of the Padgitt family?

(see the answer keys)

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