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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. Rachel and Jackie's new house is near which mine?

2. What event does Rachel's mother always listen to on the radio?

3. Where does Dillon get a job after his stint in the army?

4. What does Dillon want Rachel to do after they have declared their love for each other?

5. What does Tony do with Jackie when he takes her to the Moose Club?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Dillon begin to act bolder when Rachel is grieving for her mother?

2. Why does Dillon feel compelled to lead the strike in spite of the trouble between him and Rachel?

3. Who is Rachel Honaker and what are her feelings for Dillon?

4. How do Carrie and Fiona differ in their opinions about a romantic relationship between Dillon and Rachel?

5. What reasons do Dillon and Fiona have for not wanting Rachel to go away to nursing school?

6. How does Dillon mirror his father's life regarding standing up for the coal miners?

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

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

9. What are Dillon's feelings for Rachel and why does she try to keep him at a distance?

10. In contrast to how Tony treats Jackie, how does Dillon treat her when she stays with him?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

Explain some of the examples of regionalism found in the book. Can regionalism include more than accents and food? What else encompasses the culture and personality of a region?

Essay Topic 3

Create a character study of Jackie. What are her physical characteristics? What are her motivations? What are her fears? What are her dreams? What else can you say about Jackie?

(see the answer keys)

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