View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Uncle Al want Jacob to do?

2. What injury had Jacob suffered?

3. Which animal is the most popular that day in the menagerie tent?

4. What is redlighted?

5. Where does young Jacob take Marlena the morning after their fights with August?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Jacob convince Uncle Al to keep August from Marlena?

2. What happens when Jacob goes into Chicago with August and Marlena?

3. How does August react to Marlena's surprise?

4. What does Uncle Al want young Jacob to do in the aftermath of Marlena's choice to leave August?

5. What does Jacob discover about Rosie?

6. What does Jacob use to pay the doctor?

7. What happens when Rosie is forced to participate in the Grand Spec before she is prepared?

8. What is stolen several days in a row?

9. How does August react to Marlena's injuries?

10. What warning does Jacob receive that something might happen during the show that night?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss young Jacob. Why does Jacob jump the circus train? Did Jacob know it was a circus train? Was Jacob looking for a job with the circus? What is Jacob looking for at the circus? Does he find it? Explain your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss Jacob's education. What is Jacob studying in school? Why does Jacob not finish his degree? How close is Jacob to being finished? Why does Jacob choose not to finish? How does Jacob's education help him get a job with the circus?

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 857 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample