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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. How was Ben killed?

2. What became obvious to Jack regarding his relationship with Clara after Ruth's death?

3. What is Mat's wife always working on?

4. Where did Ruth die?

5. What was unusual about Jack's memory of Rose McInnis even though he only saw her briefly?

Short Essay Questions

1. What was the result of Jack's plans for Glad and Clara to take over the farm?

2. What does Andy begin thinking about as his conversation with Jack comes to a lull?

3. Why is Mat annoyed with the preacher during Jack's funeral?

4. What was Jack's relationship with his daughter Clara like?

5. How did people pay their respects to Jack at the Felter's house?

6. What happened after Jack found Ruth struggling to breathe?

7. After his accident on the flooded roadway, what had Jack decided to do?

8. What does Andy do before he leaves Port William to go to college?

9. What happens in Chapter Nine when Jack goes back to his room?

10. What kind of things does Wheeler see that remind him of Jack?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Most of the novel shows that Jack is fraught with regret about things in this life. As he reflects on his life, it is apparent that he is not particularly happy with it, though perhaps he is content. The climax of the novel involves Jack's death. This combination does not necessarily make for a cheerful uplifting, novel. Write an essay that addresses the entire mood of the novel. Was the mood intended to be depressing? Did you find the mood inspiring? How effective was the mood in proving the author's point?

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay that explains how foreshadowing is used in the novel. When is foreshadowing used? Is foreshadowing used for a sole purpose, or for several different purposes in the novel? Did you notice foreshadowing as you were reading the novel the first time, or did you remember the elements of foreshadowing after you finished the novel? Be sure to give specific examples to support your analysis.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay that compares Jack and Andy. What do the two characters represent? How do their parallel stories prove the point of the novel?

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