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This test consists of 5 short answer questions and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What thought does Sebastien suggest Amabelle replace the memory of her parents' deaths with?

2. What does Father Romain encourage his congregants to do?

3. What should have been a warning to Amabelle's father that it was too dangerous to cross the river?

4. What does Amabelle notice pinned to Dr. Javier's shirt collar?

5. Why is Amabelle concerned about leaving Senora Valencia alone during childbirth?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The settings of The Farming of Bones are almost like characters in the novel. Select two of the settings in the novel and:

1) Describe each setting

2) Discuss the impact of the setting on the story line

3) Discuss the impact of the setting on the characters' development

Cite several specific examples from the novel to support your ideas.

Essay Topic 2

The Farming of Bones looks at the relationship between the personal (i.e., love, friendships, family) and the political (i.e., government, military, nationalism). Discuss what the novel says about:

1) The relationship between the two. Are they always the same or different? Why?

2) What influences the personal? What else influences the political?

3) What impact do the two have on each other? Is it positive or negative? Why? Can the two co-exist happily? Why or why not?

Cite several specific examples from the novel to support your ideas.

Then comment on the novel's view points. Do you agree or disagree with what the novel says about the relationship between the personal and the political? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Memories are central to the story lines in Middlesex. Discuss how the author uses recollections of the past in the novel. What is the impact of these memories on the story? What is the author trying to say about our beliefs about memories? Cite several specific examples from the novel to support your ideas.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 426 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample