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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. Dennis and Billy plan to return to their jobs at ______________.

2. What was the cause of death of the man's oldest daughter?

3. How does Dennis receive the news about what Eva has done with the money?

4. What is the name of the Irish girl?

5. Who was the driver of the trolley?

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain the foreshadowing of Dennis' daughter meeting Matt in Chapter 3.

2. Where does Dennis take Billy to tell him the truth about Eva?

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

4. What was Billy's habit of writing notes to people?

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

6. What is the setting for Chapter 1?

7. How did Billy meet Maeve?

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

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

10. How does Maeve begin to work herself into Billy's life?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Project into the future ten years after the end of the novel and write a brief synopsis for the lives of four of the characters. Remember to exclude Billy but you may choose from Maeve, Eva, Dennis, Dennis' daughter, Sheila, etc.

Essay Topic 2

Explain what you think Billy meant when he inscribed the post card to Maeve with "Beautiful Friend." What this as much tenderness as he could muster for his wife of so many years? Or did Billy have the gift of Irish romanticism in his soul? Which do you prefer to believe? Why?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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