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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 Jeeter want Ellie May to steal from Lov's house?

2. Who/What does Dude blame for the accident?

3. At what time of day does the fire engulf the house?

4. Why does no one want to buy Jeeter's wood?

5. Who attends the marriage ceremony of Sister Bessie and Dude?

Short Essay Questions

1. How has the car become a symbol for the Lester family's lack of regard for people and possessions?

2. What damages does Jeeter notice about the car when Sister Bessie and Dude return to the farm?

3. What does Lov do when he sees Grandma Lester lying on the ground?

4. Does the author provide any hope for the Lester family at the end of the book?

5. What is the nature of the fight that results in a tragic accident involving Grandma Lester?

6. How does the trio get some money for a little food and a room?

7. How does Sister Bessie behave promiscuously in the hotel?

8. What do Sister Bessie and Dude do after they get their marriage license?

9. How do Ada and Jeeter react to Grandma Lester being hit by the car?

10. Why do Jeeter, Sister Bessie and Dude drive to August?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain the concept of loneliness as it exhibits in the story. Which of the characters are lonely? Are they all lonely in some way? Explain the loneliness and the methods and attempts to overcome it.

Essay Topic 2

Project into the future ten years and write a brief synopsis for the lives of Sister Bessie, Dude, Ellie May, Lov and Pearl. Be sure to include emotional states as well as physical characteristics, geographic locations, work, socialization, etc.

Essay Topic 3

Caldwell uses more than one instance of irony in the story. Cite at least two other examples you can identify in the story and note why they are examples of irony. What is the major irony in the story? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 895 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample