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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 is the type of vine that Hassel has seen growing up a tree?

2. Who unexpectedly returns to town?

3. What is carried in the doctor's container?

4. Which of the following is NOT something that Tom tells Jackie he has been lying about?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. What miracle has Hassel seen?

2. How does Tom's behavior show that he is still conflicted about being a priest in spite of the bishop's absolution?

3. Where does Jackie find Tom the morning after the dam burst and what does she tell him even though he is already dead?

4. Why is Dillon driven to tell Jackie that he is her father?

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

6. What threat does the dam pose and how do Dillon and Arthur Lee differ in how to manage the problem?

7. What are Dillon's emotional reasons for telling Jackie that he is her father?

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

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

10. Describe the poignancy of Dillon being present for Rachel's death in the hospital.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

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 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?

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This section contains 918 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample