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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 is Marcus's girlfriend in the novel?

2. Where does Ronnie find her friend in Chapter 10?

3. In Chapter 8, Ronnie takes Blaze where?

4. What do Steve and Jonah go to do at the beach in Chapter 11?

5. To what local hangout does Ronnie go with Marcus and Blaze in Chapter 5?

Short Essay Questions

1. What inconsistencies can be seen in Ronnie's feelings about her father between the Prologue and Chapter 1? What does this foreshadow?

2. What conversation do Ronnie and Blaze have in Chapter 12? How does Ronnie feel about it?

3. What does Steve do as he awaits the arrival of his children in Chapter 2? How does he feel about seeing them?

4. What happens when a police officer comes to take Ronnie home in Chapter 6?

5. What does Steve contemplate as he waits for Ronnie in Chapter 9?

6. What is Ronnie's reaction to her father's lack of punishment for her arrest in Chapter 11? Why?

7. What actions does Marcus take when Blaze and Ronnie are eating at a diner in Chapter 8?

8. What main characters are established in the Prologue? What is the protagonist preparing to do?

9. What is revealed about Blaze and her parents in Chapter 8? How does this relate to Ronnie's situation?

10. How has Steve's abandonment affected Ronnie? How is this seen in Chapter 1?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe and analyze the symbolism of the hatching turtles, and the impending departure of Will in Chapter 29. How are these two events related metaphorically? How is the extent of Steve's illness revealed in this chapter?

Essay Topic 2

Identify and analyze the elements of religious allusion in the novel. What is the significance of Pastor Harris' church? How does Ronnie feel about Christianity and God? What amends does Steve hope to attain with God? Why?

Essay Topic 3

Describe and analyze the plot structure of the novel, identifying and discussing the exposition, rising action, climax and denouement. Where does the novel return to in Chapter 37? What is the effect of this return to the beginning on the reader? What peace does Steve make before dying?

(see the answer keys)

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