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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. In Chapter 12, how do Barbra and Victor meet?

2. In Chapter 13, what is the feature that ruins Victor's face?

3. In Chapter 12, what kind of things did Barbra's father sell when she was a girl?

4. In Chapter 12, what does Barbra's mother say when Barbra shows her the ring Victor has given her?

5. In Chapter 13, what does Alex insult Victor about that he later retaliates for by hitting her?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Chapter 12, what does Victor tell Alex and Gary when they are upset after their grandmother's death?

2. In Chapter 2, why has Alex given up on her parents years ago?

3. In Chapter 8, why does Twyla have a Bible in Victor's hospital room?

4. In Chapter 12, what does Carver regret?

5. In Chapter 2, why is Alex oddly exhilarated by the news of her father's grave illness?

6. In Chapter 11, what does Alex ask Barbra for in return for Barbra's request of Alex?

7. What unpleasant memory does Avery think of involving Victor in Chapter 4?

8. In Chapter 11, what does Barbra ask Alex to do with Victor?

9. In Chapter 5, what is unusual about Corey's living situation?

10. In Chapter 12, what does Barbra remember the most about her own father?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Towards the end of the novel, why do you think Avery comes to the conclusion that her mother Twyla and her father Gary still love each other? Do you think there is any possibility of Twyla and Gary reconciling their differences? Write an essay explaining your answers.

Essay Topic 2

How do the patriarchal figures in both Avery's and Sadie's lives reveal their willingness to lie and to involve both young girls in their lies? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text.

Essay Topic 3

How does Barbra handle Victor's sustained physical and emotional abuse throughout their marriage? Write an essay explaining your answer, citing specific references to the text to help support your answers.

(see the answer keys)

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