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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. As the novel opens, what is Jack's age?

2. Why does Hannah Coulter consider her family's life a work in progress?

3. What does Ruth tell Jack after their daughter is born?

4. What is the reason for the support of some of the people regarding Andy's plans?

5. When Hannah transports her children, who greets them at their destination?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happened between Jack and Will that caused Will to leave?

2. What happened when Jack went into the room right after Ruth gave birth to their son?

3. How would Jack feel after his nights off?

4. How does Mat feel about Lightning and Smoothbore Berlew?

5. What memory does Jack have about a day in church when he noticed someone new?

6. What is Jack's relationship with Hannah Coultner like?

7. What does Jack remember about being twenty-eight years old and being in charge of his family farm?

8. What was the relationship like between Jack and Will Wells?

9. What is the summary of Mat Feltner's conversation with with his wife about Jack coming to live with them?

10. How does Jack feel about his memories?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay that analyzes the title of the novel, The Memory of Old Jack. After finishing the novel, the title of it seems to have more than one meaning. Explain the significance of the title and why the author would have chosen it for the novel.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay that compares Clara with Ruth, her mother, and Jack, her father. How is she similar in personality to her parents and how is she different?

Essay Topic 3

Of note in the novel is the emphasis that the author places on the slow death of the agrarian society in America post World War II. Write an essay that summarizes how Berry showed that agrarian society was dying out and being replaced by modern society. Give examples from the novel that show how Berry could have possibility felt about the issue as he wrote the novel.

(see the answer keys)

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