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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. Consolata is known to the people of Ruby by what name?

2. What was Lone gathering when she overheard the men plotting?

3. What was a young man doing when he caught Connie's attention for the first time?

4. Where does Patricia say that Billie currently resides?

5. What does Soane want Connie to help her with?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Lone believe that the men of Ruby want to get rid of the women at the Convent?

2. What do Arnette and Soane have in common in terms of being parents?

3. How do the town of Ruby and the Convent share joint responsibility for the field of marijuana?

4. According to Lone, what do the Fleetwoods blame on the women of the Convent, and why does Lone think this makes no sense?

5. What does Deek believe that the tea that Connie gave Soane causes, and why is this ironic?

6. Why does Mavis buy toys every Christmas?

7. What reasons does Patricia give for not approving of Richard's talks with the young people of the town?

8. Why do many parents of the town instruct their children to stay away from Billie Delia, and is this reputation deserved?

9. How has Patricia's genealogy project turned into a way for her to express her negative view of the people of Ruby?

10. Though she was welcomed back home by her father, why did Pallas return to the Convent?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Examine the final line of the book. How does the final line of the book relate to the entire preceding novel? How does this conception of paradise help explain the novel's title?

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

Develop an argument that proposes that the vast differences between Ruby and the Convent can be traced back to their origins. Ruby was founded intentionally by those trying to avoid oppression of a racial majority. The Convent came about mostly by accident as a place where several traumatized women found sanctuary.

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This section contains 736 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample