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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. What happens when the dam machinery is overworked?

2. Who does Dillon see on a TV program broadcast from the Kennedy Center?

3. Why do Hassel and Tom go to the Governor's Office in Charleston?

4. Who is Lech Walesa?

5. At the picket line, someone puts up a sign that says ____________________.

Short Essay Questions

1. How will Jackie's profession allow her to shed light on the poverty and suffering of people in her hometown?

2. Why do the family graves need to be moved after the American Coal Company obtains rights to Homeplace?

3. What significance do black lungs have for the story?

4. What happens when the machine involved in moving the graves malfunctions?

5. Where does Jackie encounter Tom again and what are the circumstances that have them spending more time together?

6. Why is Dillon still so conflicted in his relationship with Jackie?

7. What is Jackie's role in the miners' strike as a member of the press?

8. How does Dillon exhibit his loyalty both in his personal and professional life?

9. What open job does Dillon tell Jackie about and what does he promise to do if she takes it?

10. What impact can Dillon see that the strike will have on the way of life he has known?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain the conflict between the people who lived in the coal mining region of West Virginia and those involved in the government programs designed to provide aid.

Essay Topic 2

The author uses more than one instance of irony in the book. Cite at least two other examples you can identify in the novel and note why they are examples of irony.

Essay Topic 3

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

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 942 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample