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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 Jean's mother gets a letter about Jean from the headmistress, what does she do?

2. What does Jean help do one year when they go to Morecambe?

3. What is Pastor Finch's sermon about the first day Melanie is in the church?

4. What job does Jean end up getting from the wreath-making friend?

5. What does Jean's mother tell Jean about her experience with Pierre?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe how the church community misunderstood Jean's deafness. What did they say about her?

2. What does the prince write about perfection?

3. How is Jean's deafness discovered?

4. In an attempt to fit in at school, what does Jean change about her art projects? How does that go?

5. What are some things Jean's mother did for the Society for the Lost? Was she effective?

6. What is the story of the sensitive princess?

7. Why don't Melanie and Jean think that what they share is what the pastor labels as "unnatural passion"?

8. What is Jean's experience with the visiting pastor, Pastor Finch?

9. What kinds of stories does Jean's mother tell her while the walk on Sundays? Give some examples.

10. When she is young and still trying to understand men and marriage, what is Jean's general opinion of men? Where does it come from?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Choose one of the Biblical books that a chapter of ORANGES ARE NOT THE ONLY FRUIT was named after; so Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, or Ruth.

Part 1. Describe the Biblical book, naming the most common references from it.

Part 2. Summarize the activity that happens in the chapter ORANGES ARE NOT THE ONLY FRUIT named after that Biblical book.

Part 3. Relate the chapter in the novel to the biblical chapter. What parallels is the book making? What references? How does the biblical chapter add depth to the book?

Essay Topic 2

One of the central themes of this novel has to deal with the concept of homosexuality in religion.

Part 1. How is this theme developed in the novel?

Part 2. What are some common attitudes of religious groups today in regards to homosexuality?

Part 3.What, in your view, should the role of homosexuality in religion be?

Essay Topic 3

None of the references to famous people, stories, or other things are in the novel by accident. The author brings them up specifically for their relevance to some aspect of her story. Choose one of the many popular or Biblical references in the novel to explain.

Part 1. What reference is made? When in the story is it made?

Part 2. Describe the reference thoroughly, making sure to include the parts that relate to ORANGES ARE NOT THE ONLY FRUIT.

Part 3. How does this reference relate back to Jean's story? What relevance does it have? What insight or depth does it bring with it that was missing?

(see the answer keys)

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