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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 can Jacob not change his clothes the next morning?

2. Who is Uncle Al?

3. What holds the attention of many of the assisted-living center's residents in Chapter 5?

4. What does Jacob risk by helping Marlena with her horse?

5. How many children does Jacob have?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Jacob become angry with Rosemary, one of his nurses at the assisted-living center?

2. What is jake? Why does Camel drink it?

3. What treat does Rosemary sneak onto Jacob's breakfast tray?

4. With whom does Jacob have dinner the following night?

5. What animal does Jacob notice missing from the circus' group of exotic animals?

6. What is Jacob's one joy in the center?

7. What ruins Jacob's one joy in the center?

8. What news does Jacob receive in the days before his final exams?

9. What does elderly Jacob spend his day doing?

10. What is the significance of Stars and Stripes Forever in the circus?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss Uncle Al. Why does Uncle Al want an elephant? How does an elephant elevate the status of the circus? Why does Uncle Al refuse to pay his workers? Why do the workers not leave? Why does Uncle Al want Marlena and August to stay together? Why does Uncle Al force Jacob to promise to bring Marlena and August back together? What does Uncle Al threaten to do if Jacob does not help bring Marlena and August back together?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss marriage and infidelity. August believes Marlena is unfaithful. How does this belief change the way August treats his wife? Why? Who does August believe Marlena is having an affair with? Is she? What defines infidelity? Under your definition Jacob and Marlena having an affair? Explain your answer using evidence from the novel.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss Prohibition. What is Prohibition? Why was it enacted? How does it affect the common man? How does pPohibition play a role in this novel? Who is directly affected by Prohibition? Who is indirectly affected? Why do you think the author chose to set her novel during prohibition? How would the novel be different if the author had set the story in a different era? Whose life would have been different? Why?

(see the answer keys)

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