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

2. What is Ralph's role with the Cleary family?

3. Where do the Cleary children attend school?

4. Where does Ralph find Meggie at the end of Mary's birthday party?

5. Why does Mary Carson prefer to remain a widow?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Father Ralph's relationship with the Cleary family after Mary's death and the unveiling of her will.

2. Describe what Meggie wears to Mary Carson's birthday party.

3. What does Paddy tell Father Ralph about his past with Fiona?

4. What happens to Meggie's friendship with Teresa Annunzio?

5. What happens to Frank at the district's social event?

6. Describe Mary Carson's relationship with her brother, Paddy.

7. What are the land and climate like?

8. What causes disagreements between Frank and Paddy?

9. Why is the romance between Meggie Cleary and Father Ralph ill-fated?

10. What happens between Frank and Paddy when they are at the Gillanbone Show and Picnic Races?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analyze Meggie's relationships with the following boys/men in her life:

1) Paddy.

2) Father Ralph.

3) Luke.

4) Hal.

5) Frank.

Essay Topic 2

Dane is Meggie's pride and joy. However, she cannot bring herself to attend his ordination. Why? What do you think of her decision? Does this put Meggie in the role of a "selfish" mother? Why or why not? How do some of her actions mirror what Fiona did when raising her family? Is her decision justified? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

From the time the Clearys are introduced, the reader forms impressions about the family. What are your initial reactions to Fiona and Paddy? Do you see them as good, bad or just two people trying to do the best they can? How does that impression change, if it does, as the story unfolds?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 888 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample