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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What color is Meggie's party dress?
(a) Delicate pinkish color, called "ashes of roses."
(b) Mint green.
(c) Cherry red.
(d) Orange.

2. What does Fiona hope to do before moving into Mary's house?
(a) Get rid of Mary's clothes.
(b) Hear from Frank.
(c) Make sure each child has a bedroom.
(d) Redecorate.

3. What event draws the Cleary family closer?
(a) The birth of the twins.
(b) Meggie and Stuart coming home from school.
(c) Frank moving away.
(d) Hal's death.

4. What does Meggie give to Father Ralph to remember her by?
(a) A pale pink rose.
(b) A picture of the two of them.
(c) A piece of her formal dress.
(d) A passionate kiss.

5. What does Ralph stop just short of explaining to Meggie?
(a) That he is in love with Meggie.
(b) Where babies come from.
(c) That Mary has no intention of sharing her wealth.
(d) That Mary is jealous of Meggie.

6. What event does Mary Carson plan?
(a) A coming out party for Meggie.
(b) A vacation for herself and Ralph.
(c) An outing for the entire Cleary family to Gillanbone.
(d) A party for her 72nd birthday.

7. Which of the following does Mary Carson not provide for Paddy's family?
(a) A maid.
(b) Tuition for two of the Cleary children to go to boarding school.
(c) A job.
(d) A home.

8. Why does Mary Carson prefer to remain a widow?
(a) Paddy will be jealous.
(b) She will have to leave her home.
(c) If she remarries, all of her wealth becomes her husband's.
(d) She cannot find anyone she loves.

9. Paddy and Fiona have how many sons?
(a) 4.
(b) 7.
(c) 8.
(d) 5.

10. What does Father Ralph tell Meggie when he returns for the funerals?
(a) That Paddy is not Frank's father.
(b) That he loves her but can never act on that love.
(c) That Mary Carson was jealous of her.
(d) That Mary Carson was attracted to him.

11. Why does Ralph ignore Meggie at Mary's birthday party?
(a) He is tired of her childish ways.
(b) Paddy asks him to.
(c) He blames her for Hal's death.
(d) To prevent rumors of a liaison.

12. How many days does the fire burn before the rains come?
(a) Five days.
(b) Three days.
(c) One day.
(d) Seven days.

13. What does the Cleary family not encounter at Drogheda?
(a) Snakes, birds, and kangaroos.
(b) A forest.
(c) Dust and flies.
(d) Oppressive heat.

14. What strikes the dead gum tree and starts the fire?
(a) A gunshot.
(b) An arsonist.
(c) Fireworks.
(d) A bolt of lightning.

15. Who returns to the Home Paddock?
(a) Stuart.
(b) Frank.
(c) Father Ralph.
(d) Meggie.

Short Answer Questions

1. What two people or things is Ralph torn between?

2. What does Mary provide for the Cleary family for her 72nd birthday party?

3. What does Fiona's father give Paddy?

4. Who is the one character dissatisfied with life on the ranch?

5. What attacks Stuart?

(see the answer keys)

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