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. How many straps does Mrs. Brown carry with her?

2. In Chapter 12, who does Pat Conroy label "predictably mediocre?"

3. When do Pat Conroy and Barbara get married?

4. What derogatory name was Dr. Piedmont called as a kid?

5. Who has the best rifle collection on the island?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Pat Conroy want to get along with Mrs. Brown?

2. Why is Mrs. Brown against the kids taking a trip to Washington D.C.?

3. What does Pat Conroy hope for the children of Yamacraw Island?

4. Why does Pat Conroy allow teachers from the mainland into his classroom?

5. What type of relationship does Mrs. Brown have with her students?

6. What does Pat Conroy talk about in front of the school board in Chapter 11?

7. What health risks does Pat Conroy endure while commuting during the winter?

8. How is Mrs. Brown affected by the power of being principal?

9. Why are the scenes where the parents object to the children going to Washington D.C. familiar?

10. Why does Pat Conroy decide to commute to the island?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Create an argument for or against the intelligence of the children on Yamacraw Island, citing examples from the text.

Essay Topic 2

Analyze the relationships between whites and blacks during the time period of "The Water is Wide."

1) What time period is it and what is happening politically in the United States?

2) How do whites feel about blacks?

3) How do blacks feel about whites?

Essay Topic 3

Create a detailed portrait of the educational opportunities offered to the blacks on Yamacraw island.

1) What is the state of education?

2) What public resources are available, and are they ironic?

3) How can the residents of Yamacraw put into practice the education they receive?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 616 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample