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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't Michael Sr. get and keep a job?

2. What does Marianne do after Whit tends to Muffin?

3. Why does Judd finally leave home?

4. What is Stump Creek Hill?

5. Where does Michael Sr. live when his son, Mike, visits him?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why, if Abelove loves Marianne, doesn't he search harder for her after she leaves?

2. What is it that Marianne fears about people making too much of her, worrying about her, or touching her?

3. Why, after Marianne admits she is in love with Abelove, doesn't she want to accept his proposal?

4. Why does Mike Jr. visit his father in Rochester?

5. In the chapter, "Tears," what is it that Marianne is patiently waiting for?

6. How does Patrick explain to Judd the reason he doesn't want to see their parents?

7. Why does Marianne leave Penelope Hagstrom's?

8. What is happening to Marianne's grades in college and why is it happening?

9. What seems to be happening to Corrine in the chapter, "Hard Reckoning?"

10. What bothers Judd the most after his father's death when they go to scatter his ashes?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Have the students write an essay about Michael Mulvaney's relationship with his own father and how that might have impacted the kind of father he was.

Essay Topic 2

In the chapter titled "Secrets," Michael has a long discussion with his sons, Mike and Patrick, about how he expects them to treat girls. What does that conversation reveal about Michael? About Mike and Patrick?

Essay Topic 3

Why does Patrick begin having problems with his class work? Does he really disagree with Dr. Herring or is he just being defiant? Why, after being such a good student up until that point is he assigned a new thesis adviser?

(see the answer keys)

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