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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. Pete gets drunk and drives over to threaten ________ and then drives off into the quarry where he actually drowns.

2. Ty is not settled, according to Ginny, and he is heading for a big hog operation in __________ where he hopes to land a job.

3. ___________ just wants the plates that Larry ate off but nothing else that might be on the farm.

4. For the first time, _________ believes she really feels herself, that she can speak with a certain moral authority.

5. Several neighbors turn out to help ___________ at Harold's place as Harold is injured and unable to do the work himself.

Short Essay Questions

1. Who takes care of the funeral arrangements for Pete, since Harold and Larry are not present?

2. What does Rose let Ginny know in a short note she receives while Ginny is in her new place?

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

4. How did Ginny cover for Caroline when they were younger, Caroline being 14 and Ginny being 22?

5. What does Ty do when he's in town with Ginny at the Perkins Restaurant?

6. What does Marv Carlson tell Ginny and Caroline they can do before the farm sale starts?

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

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

9. What does Ginny do after asking Ty for $1000 and receiving that money from him?

10. What did Pete tell Rose the week before when she told him about her affair with Jess?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The theme of rural life is one that weaves its way in and around this story. This backdrop provides a unique setting in which certain things can and cannot occur.

Part 1: In what ways does rural life affect the story within this novel?

Part 2: Why do you think the rural setting was important to use in this story? Could a city landscape have worked?

Part 3: What kinds of things are explored when a story is placed in a rural setting which could not be explored in another location?

Essay Topic 2

The rigidity of Larry in the beginning of the story strikes a reader as odd, though perhaps just something that is inherent to his temperament.

Part 1: Why do you think Larry is so rigid about his schedule?

Part 2: Why are Larry's daughters keen to helping Larry adhere to his rigid schedule?

Part 3: What happens when Larry's schedule is not followed? Does this mean his schedule was to blame or some other factor?

Essay Topic 3

At times, it seems the story is being told from the perspective of someone who is a passionate feminist. While there's nothing wrong with this, it does seem to color the descriptions of the other characters.

Part 1: How does Ginny's perspective on women's rights affect the way she tells the story?

Part 2: How might the story have be told had Ginny had a more balanced view of women's vs. men's rights?

Part 3: Is it fair for an author to allow his/her characters to tell a story from a biased standpoint? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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