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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. Willy Jack Pickens and Novalee Nation are traveling when this novel begins. What state are they currently in?

2. What state does Willy Jack's mother live in?

3. At what church do the police cars respond to?

4. Why does Novalee go to Rattlesnake Ridge?

5. What does Novalee ask of this character when she visits?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Forney contrast to Novalee?

2. What is ironic about where Sister Husband lives and Novalee and her dream?

3. What are the gifts Novalee receives in Chapter 2 and who are they from?

4. Why is the buckeye tree important to Novalee?

5. What is the significance of Novalee's daughter's name, Americus?

6. Novalee visits the Whitecotton place. What does she learn?

7. How is Willy Jack trying to change his life after being released from prison?

8. Why is Claire obsessed with Band-Aids?

9. Explain how Novalee and Lexie are similar and how Troy and Willy Jack are similar.

10. How is Ruth Meyers not like the other women in Willy Jack's life?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe ways that Lexie and Novalee are the same and ways in which they are different.

Essay Topic 2

What is the connection in the story between Mary Elizabeth Hull, Sister Husband, and Ray? Do they meet at the same place? Explain as much as you can about this connection.

Essay Topic 3

What are the ten most important events in the story? Explain the events in order of occurrence and explain why you believe they are the most important events.

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This section contains 611 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample