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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. When Olivia's house goes on the market, how many offers come in?

2. Who finds a way to have Oscar's almond trees removed for free?

3. Who does Claudia tell Olivia that Gabriel is seeing?

4. How many people are in Keila's book club?

5. How long has 90% of California been in a severe drought?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Keila feel when Oscar finally tells her about the orchard?

2. What are Aunt Belinda's thoughts about her marriage?

3. What is Oscar's financial position at the beginning of September?

4. Why does Claudia begin to realize that she may not be able to go back to work after she finishes her rehabilitation?

5. How are the trees removed from the almond orchard?

6. What do Olivia and Patricia discover when they go to get pajamas, clothes, and makeup for Claudia on May 3?

7. What does Patricia remember about her rape?

8. In August, what is Lucas's concern about the orchard and what does he suggest?

9. What are the terms of Olivia's divorce?

10. Why is Oscar angry after the phone call with Eric discussing his and Patricia's divorce?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the novel, some characters are more thoroughly described than others. Who are some characters that are merely named in passing or have a minor role in the novel? What is the importance of these flat characters to the storyline? In what way do these characters make the main characters more colorful or interesting? When there is conflict, what type of role do these flat characters play?

Essay Topic 2

Lola has never married. What are some reasons why Lola has not married? Does she regret never marrying?

Essay Topic 3

Colors are sometimes associated with mood. If you could assign a color to represent the mood L.A. Weather, what color would it be? Why? Would you choose different colors to describe the mood in different sections?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,063 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample