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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 does Rachel think is the father of her baby?

2. Why does Rachel scream at Tony when he comes home with Jackie?

3. Where does Dillon go to join the army?

4. How does Tommie die?

5. What is deducted from the coalminers' pay each week?

Short Essay Questions

1. What possibilities does Arthur Lee consider doing when Rachel tells him that she loves Dillon?

2. What is Appalachia and what does Rachel surprisingly udiscover about it?

3. What secret does Rachel keep from Dillon that plays a large part in her decision to live with Arthur Lee?

4. Why is Rachel conflicted in her feelings even though she has found a rich boy who wants to marry her?

5. Who does Rachel marry after Fred abandons her?

6. What does little Jackie recall about Dillon's visits to see her mother?

7. How is Jackie like her mother in that she falls in love with a man she cannot have?

8. Why does Rachel stay in her unhappy marriage with Tony?

9. Who is Fred and how does he disappoint Rachel?

10. What is Fiona's interest in the Kentucky Derby?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The author uses more than one iteration on the theme of disappointment. Identify at least two characters who either embody or experience disappointment then cite an example to support your answers.

Essay Topic 2

Does Giardina end the story on a note of hope for Jackie or the continuance of her struggle to come to terms with flawed relationships and evolving trends and ways of life? Give your perspective and two reasons to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

What is the overall setting for the novel? Be sure to include geography, time period and any pertinent popular culture events. Why did Giardina choose to use these places in the novel?

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This section contains 912 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample