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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. Why does Connie have to tend to the old woman?

2. What is Gigi's real name?

3. Where does Mavis initially plan to go after leaving Newark?

4. Who was the only person to die in the town that became Ruby, Oklahoma during a period of two decades?

5. Where had most of the residents of Ruby resided prior to starting the town of Ruby?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are some of town situations that Dovey Morgan thinks about?

2. How does Mavis get confused and diverted from her intention to go straight to California?

3. What means do the Morgan twins use to help their nephew out of trouble when he impregnates Arnette?

4. What is one of the things the Morgan twins probably consider when they are trying to decide what to do about Arnette's pregnancy?

5. Why is Mavis' mother less than supportive when Mavis arrives at her house?

6. When there is a problem in Ruby who handles it?

7. Why did the founders of Ruby decide to name the town Ruby instead of New Haven?

8. What is immediately noticeable about Gigi?

9. Why do the men from Ruby go to the Convent?

10. Why is the town of Ruby not a place that attracts travelers?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Foreshadowing is an important literary tool. Examine the text for instances of foreshadowing. If instances are present, how do they impact the plot? If there are no instances of foreshadowing, a rare occurrence in a novel, how does the absence of foreshadowing affect the reader's reception of the story?

Essay Topic 2

The novel does not have a simply linear plot progression. Describe the novel's plot progression and what effect this has on the reader.

Essay Topic 3

Though the Morgan's are the wealthiest and most powerful people in Ruby, that is not to say that they have not faced their own hardships. Indeed, the Morgans have endured heartbreaking loses. Outline some of these loses and offer theories on why the loses did or did not affect the Morgan's views on race relations.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 710 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample