View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What do Adam and Ben do after Lily is forced to leave with Jesse?

2. Why does the killer take Willa into the mountains?

3. Why does Tess book a male masseuse for Willa?

4. What bothers Willa during the week after Adam is shot?

5. What are Jesse's plans now that he missed the opportunity to kill Adam?

Short Essay Questions

1. Where do Adam and Willa find Jesse's jeep, what does Willa tell him, and what does Lily do about being abducted?

2. What does Jim Brewster tell Willa about his mother and her life?

3. What does Willa do to her father's office and why does she do it?

4. Why do Willa and Ham fight in Chapter 29, and what does Ham ask from Willa?

5. What happens on the Fourth of July, and what do Willa and Ben do?

6. What does Willa do after Adam is shot? What does she find?

7. Why do the three sisters drive the cattle into the mountains together and what do Willa and Ben discuss during the drive?

8. What does the killer do to Ham and what does he tell Willa?

9. At the spa, what does Tess say about Ben and why does she say it?

10. What do Willa and Ben do in Chapter 21 and how does Willa feel about it? What does Ben tell her?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Often, authors will write about "what they know," and sometimes knowing a little about the author makes the books more interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Research and give a brief biographical sketch of Nora Roberts.

2. What in Robert's background may have helped her in writing Montana Sky? What may have influenced the way she depicts various characters and scenes?

3. Do you think there is always some of the author's own life in his/her novels? Why or why not? Give examples.

Essay Topic 2

Choose one of the following to discuss:

1. Choose two significant symbols and trace and analyze their appearance in the novel. Are these universal symbols? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other symbols that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Roberts chooses the symbols she does?

2. Choose two important metaphors and trace and analyze their appearance in the novel. Are these universal metaphors? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other metaphors that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Roberts chooses the metaphors she does?

3. Discuss Nora Robert's use (or lack ) of literary device (such as foreshadowing, clifthangers, deux ex machina, etc...), and how they add or detract from the story. Does Roberts use too many or too few literary techniques? State which of the five major elements of fiction the literary device is related to (style, character, plot, setting, theme).

Essay Topic 3

Many novels, and perhaps a majority, of novels ends on a happy note. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy or good ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why not?

2. What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of Montana Sky and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why Montana Sky is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

3. Do you think reading solely for entertainment is as good a reason to read as any other? Why or why not? Can any work of fiction or non-fiction, no matter how poorly written, enlighten, teach, stimulate thought? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,200 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample