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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. Why do Paddy and Frank have so many conflicts?

2. Which of the following does Mary Carson not provide for Paddy's family?

3. What event does Mary Carson plan?

4. What one thing does Drogheda not have on the premises?

5. Who does Paddy work for before his marriage?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What does Mary Carson's new will say?

3. How has Father Ralph's life changed since Mary Carson died?

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

5. Why does Mary Carson find it more advantageous to remain a widow and not remarry?

6. How does Father Ralph act more like a private citizen than a representative of the church?

7. What is Father Ralph's dilemma regarding Mary Carson's second will?

8. What happens to Stuart during the search for Paddy?

9. Describe what happens to Paddy when he goes to round up sheep during a storm.

10. Why do Meggie and Stuart stop attending school?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Meggie's children, Justine and Dane, are close growing up, but they have entirely different personalities. What does Justine's personality say about the relationship between Meggie and Justine's father? What does Dane's personality say about the relationship between Meggie and Dane's father? What is the symbolism of Dane being the perfect child and Justine being not so perfect?

Essay Topic 2

The relationship between mothers and daughters can be complicated at times. Meggie and Fiona are the only immediate female members of the Cleary family. From Meggie's 4th birthday and the incident with her new doll, the reader is able to catch glimpses of their relationship. Picking four stages of Meggie's life to analyze, what is her relationship like with Fiona at these stages?

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)

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