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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 does Marlena refuse to leave with Jacob immediately?

2. What does Uncle Al reveal about August to Jacob?

3. Why did Marlena marry August?

4. What does Rosie do when she sees the exit to the menagerie tent from the big top?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What does elderly Jacob learn about Rosemary that upsets him?

3. Why did Marlena marry August?

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

5. What does Jacob discover about Rosie?

6. What does Jacob use to pay the doctor?

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

8. Why is the train raided in Poughkeepsie?

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

10. What is stolen several days in a row?

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 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 3

What is jake? Why does Camel drink jake rather than good alcohol? How does the setting of the novel affect Camel's decision to drink jake? What is the ultimate result of Camel's decision to drink jake? Is this ailment Camel's fault as the doctor appears to believe? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 852 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample