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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. What are Anne-Marion's religious beliefs?

2. What is notable about Meridian's mother's preacher's voice?

3. Meridian's mother's demeanor can be characterized as ____________.

4. To whom does Meridian's father give the deed for his small farm?

5. Who is the white exchange student who canvasses with Meridian, asking people to vote?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Meridian's goal in tending to both Lynne and Truman after the death of their daughter?

2. What is the irony of Lynne's character regarding being oppressed?

3. What is the significance of the synagogue bombing in Lynne's world?

4. What happens to Meridian when she finally succumbs to Truman's advances?

5. What is the premise of MERIDIAN?

6. What is Lynne's view of black people?

7. What is Meridian's life like every day when she is seventeen with a baby?

8. How is Meridian's experience with sex typical of poor, black girls?

9. How does Truman encounter Meridian after so many years in the town of Chicokema?

10. What is a second important theme in the book which arises with the spectacle of the mummy?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Create a brief character study of Meridian Hill. What does she look like? What are her positive personality traits? What are some of her negative characteristics? What are her hopes and fears? What motivates her, if anything, at this point in her life?

Essay Topic 2

Explain the concept of loneliness as it exhibits in the story. Which of the characters are lonely? Are they all lonely in some way? Explain the loneliness and the methods and attempts to overcome it.

Essay Topic 3

The author uses some important instances of foreshadowing in the story. Explain what foreshadowing is and cite at least two examples making sure to explain what makes each an example of foreshadowing.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,022 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample