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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. After James moved away from home, where did he settle?

2. What does Mrs. Luvovitz sell by the roadside?

3. Who does Mercedes think visited her in the night, pressing dark fingerprints onto her forehead?

4. How old is Leo Taylor when he is hired by James to drive Kathleen to and from school?

5. What is the name of Lily's favorite movie star, whom she is teased mercilessly for admiring?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Kathleen react when Teresa Taylor, the Mahmoud's maid, pays the Piper family a visit?

2. What nightmare does Lily have after hearing about Ambrose's death?

3. How does James adjust to life at home with Kathleen living in New York?

4. What is James's reaction to Ambrose's death?

5. What is the last thing Kathleen sees before she dies?

6. What motivates James to join the army?

7. What is James's reaction to the news that his wife Materia is dead?

8. What job does Materia get to help pay for Kathleen's private education?

9. What did Mercedes think was happening when she watched the incident at the creek?

10. What makes James a good bootlegger?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Throughout Lily's upbringing, she hears lies regarding where she came from and why she is alive, particularly from her older sister Frances. First, describe the web of lies Frances and the rest of the family constructed regarding Lily's heritage. When does Lily begin to realize these stories are fabrications? What is her reaction to this unraveling of truth? Why do you think the Piper family felt it necessary to lie to Lily about her past? Were they trying to protect her, or did they have other, darker motivations in the lies? Be sure to include examples from the text to strengthen their arguments.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the piano introduced in the first few chapters of the novel. Why was this object so important to James, and what did it symbolize in his life? Describe how the piano came from ruins in James's childhood home to ruins in Materia's married home. What effect did the piano have on Materia as a character and on her marriage to James? Be sure to include examples from the text to strengthen your arguments.

Essay Topic 3

There are three male babies born in the novel, and each of them dies shortly after birth. First, describe the three male babies and explain how each of them died. What symbolism can be found in the repeated death of the male babies? Do you think it is a coincidence that all the male babies died, or something darker? Did any of the babies die under suspicious circumstances? Finally, theorize how life in the Piper family might have been different if just one of the male babies had survived. Be sure to include examples from the text to strengthen your arguments.

(see the answer keys)

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