View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Where does Mrs. Wendall live after Howard's death?

2. What are Maureen's responsibilities on a daily basis?

3. Why is Mrs. Wendall placed in a nursing home?

4. What sort of relationship does Betty have with her brother and sister?

5. Who is Betty?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Jules and Nadine's relationship like after their reunion?

2. What is Loretta's reputation as a teenager?

3. Why is Jim re-evaluating his relationship with his current wife?

4. What does Loretta think about her relationship with her children while she is in the shelter?

5. What is happening to Maureen as she begins to come out of her catatonia?

6. What does Jules do while trying to perform a magic trick for Maureen?

7. As a young adult, how does Maureen feel about her family?

8. What does Jules tell Vera about love?

9. How does Jules feel about himself after the shooting?

10. How does Jules feel about the riot fires on the streets of Detroit?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Brock is a minor character in the novel, but he plays an important role. He is the reason why Loretta meets and marries Howard, and he is also the one to bring Maureen out of her catatonia. How can these two very dissimilar actions--his murder of Bernie, and his role in Maureen's recovery--be resolved in terms of his character? Why do you think the author chooses to assign both of these important, and very different, actions to a single character? Knowing all that you do about Brock, what is your opinion of his character? Why do you think he disappears from the plot so suddenly? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 2

One of the literary techniques employed by the author is that of switching viewpoints between the characters. How effective is this technique? Why? What does it help to accomplish? Is there another, more effective way to accomplish the same result? If so, what is it? Did you like this style of writing? Why or why not? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 3

None of Loretta's husbands were very good people. Why do you think this is so? Why did she choose to marry men who were poor providers, and poor caretakers for her children? Were there any better men for her to choose from? Do you think she even realized that her husbands were poor choices? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 845 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample