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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. Who rushes Buddy Jr. to the hospital after he is struck by the train?

2. In which month of the year do Frank and Ruth get married?

3. How was criminal Mr. Pinto executed?

4. How does Idgie claim Frank died?

5. What is the name of the elephant Ruth and Idgie take the children to see in Avondale Park?

Short Essay Questions

1. How did Ruth's relationship with her husband, Frank change after their honeymoon?

2. How does Almondine get her name?

3. Why does Idgie drive to Georgia? What does she find out about Ruth during that trip?

4. At the end of the novel, where is Idgie living?

5. What clues does Dot Weems give as to Frank's disappearance in the newspaper?

6. What scam does Biddie Otis buy into, hoping it will help cure her arthritis?

7. How does Artis Peavy die?

8. Why does Smokey Lonesome return to Whistle Stop after the homeless shelter closes?

9. How does Idgie react to the news that Ruth is engaged to Frank?

10. What funny story does Sipsey tell about childbirth during a meeting with the Dill Pickle's Club?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Evelyn has spent much of her adult life consumed with guilt over her mother's death. First, explain how Evelyn's mother died and the way that Evelyn coped with that death. Then, explain what Evelyn has to feel guilty about when remembering her mother's death. In your opinion, is this guilt rational? Why or why not? Finally, explain how Evelyn's mother's death has affected the way Evelyn views her own health and life.

Essay Topic 2

Evelyn goes through an enormous character transition over the course of the novel. First, describe how the author presents Evelyn and the way she feels about her life when the novel opens. Then, compare and contrast that to the way the author presents Evelyn and the way she feels about her life when the novel closes. Then, give at least two examples from the text that support your argument about the driving force that led to this massive change in character.

Essay Topic 3

Interspersed throughout the old newspaper are pages copied from Dot Weems' newspaper, "The Weems Weekly." Choose at least two stories highlighted in these newspaper pages and explain what significance these stories have to the novel. Then, explain how "The Weems Weekly" helps characterize Whistle Stop and the characters in the novel.

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