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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. What is the task Ginny is trying to accomplish, one that takes her until noon that morning?

2. Who upends the Monopoly game in Pete's lap when she hears the news of the unknown wedding?

3. Who bought the air-conditioned International Harvester tractor in a bright red color, which annoyed Larry?

4. What do Larry and Harold take in exchange for their work on repairing broken machinery around the farm at first?

5. Ginny wonders why the musically talented Pete married Rose, and it seemed the only thing the two had in common was ___________.

Short Essay Questions

1. What did Ginny and Rose create inside of their mother's closet when they were little?

2. What happened when the trucks and the tractors broke during the past when Larry and Harold were around?

3. What has Ty wanted to do for years with his share of the farm he lives on?

4. What did Harold buy for himself without consulting Larry, which made Larry a bit upset?

5. What do Ginny and the girls encounter when they arrive home after their swimming trip?

6. What is on the papers which Ken LaSalle gives to Ginny when she is served?

7. When Ty returns with the missing Larry, what does Larry have to say to Ginny in person?

8. When Ginny takes her nieces to the swimming pool, what do they complain about to her?

9. How does Ginny describe the dimensions of her flat world as an 8-year-old in 1951?

10. What does Ginny drive Rose to and what is the outcome of this trip they take together?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The affairs with Jess show the reality of the sisters and their dissatisfaction with their lives and situations.

Part 1: Why do you think Ginny decided to sleep with Jess?

Part 2: Why do you think Rose decided to sleep with Jess?

Part 3: Why do you think Jess decided to sleep with both sisters?

Essay Topic 2

Ginny is the narrator of the story, but as with all narrators who are directly involved in the story, there are limitations to what the reader can believe.

Part 1: Do you think Ginny is a trustworthy narrator? Why or why not?

Part 2: In what ways might Ginny's life and experiences have affected the storytelling?

Part 3: Which other character might have made a strong narrator? Why?

Essay Topic 3

The prospect of freedom is something that is explored at several points of this story.

Part 1: How do you think the characters are trapped in this story?

Part 2: How do you think the characters are free in this story?

Part 3: Do you think it's easier for the characters to be trapped or to be free? Why?

(see the answer keys)

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