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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 was the cause of death of the person whose funeral has just been held?

2. What is the setting for Chapter 1?

3. How did Sheila get to work each day?

4. What does Mr. Holtzman's assistant think about the young woman?

5. Where did Sheila work when she quit school?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is revealed about Maeve's history and character in Chapter 6?

2. How has Dennis' mother, Sheila, finally feel happy in her life?

3. Why does Dennis decide to tell Billy that Eva had died?

4. Explain the variances on the theme of love in Chapter 6.

5. What insight does this chapter provide about Billy's character?

6. What had Sheila's life been like after her parents died?

7. What job do Dennis and Billy take on after they return from the war in 1945?

8. What is the setting for Chapter 1?

9. Describe how Billy's behavior is not far fetched, given the post-war climate they live in.

10. Explain the irony of Billy's stopping to see Dennis when he returns from Ireland.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Create a character study of Dennis Lynch. What are his physical characteristics? What are his motivations? What are his fears? What are his dreams? What else can you say about Dennis?

Essay Topic 2

Explain the irony of Dennis' decision to tell Billy that Eva had died. What was Dennis intention? What was the short term result? What was the long term result? How did Dennis contribute to Benny's death? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

The author uses more than one iteration on the theme of love. Identify at least two themes about love in the book. Then cite an example to support each theme you name.

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