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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 was George drinking on the night Ellen came downstairs for milk to find her parents at the dining room table?

2. Who does Ellen say comes to visit?

3. What does the Mayor say by way of a holiday greeting?

4. Where does Ellen meet Jeff after she's released from Jail?

5. Who tells Ellen that the cause of Kate's death is an overdose of morphine?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are Ellen's theories about why Mrs. Duane and Kate don't talk about men while they're having lunch together?

2. What is Ellen doing that causes the newspaper stories to say that Ellen was "fleeing?"

3. What is the memory Ellen has about a tree lighting event the first year her mother was one of the Minnies?

4. Why does Ellen ask Jules not to come to the funeral?

5. What is Jon's role in Ellen's arrest?

6. What is George's response when Kate says she loves Christmas? What does he mean?

7. What does Ellen do when she and Jeff go to the cemetery?

8. Describe some of the reactions to Ellen's arrest.

9. What does Jeff say about Brian's problems at college and what is Ellen's response?

10. What is the conversation Ellen and Kate have when Hally gives Kate the photo of her newborn baby?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe Ellen's relationship with her mother, her father and her siblings. Who among these is she closer to? Why?

Essay Topic 2

The months spent caring for Kate changes Ellen's life dramatically. Describe the impact of those months on Ellen. Are any of the effects positive? Are any negative?

Essay Topic 3

What do you consider to be the main theme of this story? List at least three examples of this theme, and explain why it is important.

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This section contains 716 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample