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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. Kari wants to tell her brother Julia is his what, but does not want to break the vow she made to Mary Jo.

2. How are the ladies actually related?

3. Slip's daughter goes by what name?

4. Mary Jo is Kari's what?

5. Which of the following is not one of the things the friends are doing, as the novel opens?

Short Essay Questions

1. Do you think that Merit is strong or weak?

2. In this section, Kari adopts her niece's baby girl. What are your views of adoption, in general?

3. Describe Kari's home life.

4. How do you think that Merit should handle Eric's abuse?

5. What affect does Merit's father's death have on Eric and what does that say about Eric's character?

6. Do you think that it was right for Fred to enlist to go to Vietnam?

7. Do you agree with Merit hiding things in her hair? Why or why not?

8. Why do you think that Eric beats Merit?

9. Faith narrates the prologue. What is the significance of Faith's name, as it seems to relate to the book?

10. How does the book club come by its name?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Eric, Faith and Kari, especially, are very much affected by their pasts in the novel.

Part 1. List at least two examples each where each of the characters of Faith, Eric and Kari are affected by their pasts.

Part 2. Why do you think that, in general, people's pasts affect their futures and do you think that those affects are always negative? Why or why not?

Part 3. Have you ever been affected by your past? If so, in what way?

Essay Topic 2

None of the women seem to do well alone. Even when they divorce, they seek out companionship, such as when Audrey and Grant move in together.

Part 1. Do you feel that it was right for Audrey and Grant to move in together? Why or why not?

Part 2. Do you feel that it was right for Merit to marry Mr. Paradise? Why or why not?

Part 3. If your spouse died or divorced you, would you stay single or date or marry again and why would you make that choice?

Essay Topic 3

Fred and Slip are on opposite sides of the war issue, even though they are brother and sister. Fred enlists and Slip goes to anti-war rallies. Which one of them do you side with, as far as war goes, and why? Use several examples from both the book and real life wars to back up your answer.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 963 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample