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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. Why does Mary Anne call Bull at the bar?

2. What is Arrabelle worried about after news of the rape on lover's lane?

3. What does Mary Anne let Sammy's date borrow?

4. Why do Ben and Sammy spend Saturday night at lover's lane rather than the local hang out?

5. What does Ben think about Mr. Loring's teaching style?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who instructs the male students on sex during catechism? Why?

2. Why does Ben go to Toomer's even after Bull refuses to allow him to go?

3. What is the focus of Sister Loretta's discussion on sex? How does Ben react to this discussion?

4. Why does Bull criticize Ben's play during his first basketball game? How does Ben feel about this?

5. Why does Ben injure a player from the opposing team during a basketball game?

6. What is the significance of the story Mary Anne tells on Christmas Eve as the family waits for Bull to get ready for church?

7. Why does Mr. Loring tease Ben in his English class? How does Ben feel about this attention?

8. Whom does Ben recall during try outs? What impact did this man have on Ben's life? What was Bull's role in this relationship?

9. What is Mess Night? What does it mean for the Meecham family?

10. Sammy arranges a date with a college girl by using a fake name. What does this say about Sammy's attitude toward women?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is Ben's relationship with Bull like? What does Bull's behavior on Ben's birthday say about their relationship? What is Ben's role in the family? How is this role illustrated throughout the novel? What does this family dynamic say about the entire Meecham family?

Essay Topic 2

Who does Mary Anne most resemble, Lillian or Bull? Give some examples of this. Why does Mary Anne continuously attempted to goad her father? What does Mary Anne want from Bull? Why does Mary Anne talk about the future with such despair? Does Mary Anne really believe she will end up like her mother? Why? Is this why Mary Anne speaks of suicide?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss setting. What is the setting of this novel? How does setting influence the plot of the novel? How does setting influence the characters? How would a different setting affect the characters of this novel? Would a different setting make a difference to any key characters? Which characters would be affected? Which characters would not be affected?

(see the answer keys)

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