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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. To Ginny, the sound of __________ is something oracular, telling her what she should do with her life at this point.

2. On Ginny's _______ birthday, her husband, Ty, stops by the restaurant where she still works as a waitress.

3. Rose tells Ginny about ___________ less superficial, hidden self-centered side. He had a way of using his kindness to manipulate others.

4. Ginny notices that Ty looks like one of the __________ men she's seen over the last few years as she has been around people.

5. What did Caroline want to do that Larry would have disapproved of, at least it was fairly certain he would?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Rose want Ginny to do for her daughters, Pammy and Linda, that night instead of taking them back with Ginny?

2. Why did the bank not give Ty a loan this year for his farm and for his hog operation?

3. What does Ginny do in order to attempt to poison her sister, Rose?

4. When Ginny is hiding in a dressing room, what does she overhear Larry say about her and Rose?

5. How does Ginny describe the way she is feeling after the midnight conversation with Rose?

6. Why do Ginny and Caroline go about dividing possessions in the cold as it is late November?

7. What does Ginny notice about 6 AM the morning after Pete's accident?

8. What does Ginny do between shifts at her new job as a waitress?

9. What happened to Rose's old home when the farm sale occurred in the springtime?

10. Why is Rose tempted to walk inside Chelsea, according to Rose as she speaks to Ginny?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The multiple miscarriages of Ginny are a sad fact she shares almost without feeling at times.

Part 1: Why do you think Ginny has continued to have so many miscarriages in her life?

Part 2: What is the symbolism of Ginny not being able to carry a child in her womb?

Part 3: Do you think the Ginny would have made a good mother? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Much of the novel is sad, depressing, and perhaps even tragic. However, in the face of all this tragedy, it is hard to begin to see who might have suffered more.

Part 1: Describe the tragedy of one character in this story. How has his/her past and/or present pain changed him/her?

Part 2: Do you think it's possible to avoid tragedy in this story? Why or why not?

Part 3: Why do you think the author focused so much on the tragedy of the characters in this story?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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