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 sport does Jay say he played growing up in “You Can Hold Onto Me if You Need To"?

2. Who is the man in Jay's dream revealed to be in "A Visit"?

3. How old is Jay in "Wisdom from on High"?

4. Who does Jay ask first about the missing letters in “Not an Answer to the Question”?

5. Why is the laser tag arena closed at the mall in “You Can Hold Onto Me if You Need To"?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is the room that Jay is staying in described in “Some Small Rebellion"?

2. Who are Jessa and Mia? How are they described?

3. What does Jay's father say about his feelings of the Philippines in "Things Inside"?

4. Where does Grace take Jay in "Lead the Way"? Why is this surprising?

5. How did Jay feel about his family's religion and church?

6. What are balikbayan boxes and what do they symbolize?

7. Who is Rodrigo Duterte and how does he factor into the novel?

8. How is the atmosphere around dinner described in “Every Single Surviving Word"?

9. What do Jun's letters symbolize to Jay?

10. What "clue" does Jay find in Maning's office in “Not an Answer to the Question"? What does the clue indicate?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the theme of grief in Patron Saints of Nothing. How do each of the characters in this novel grieve differently? How does Jay's uncovering of the truth around Jun's death affect his grief? How does Grace demonstrate her grief over the loss of her brother?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss Jay's feelings of ambivalence about his future in the beginning of Patron Saints of Nothing. Where has Jay been accepted to college? Do you think he would have been more excited about attending if he had been accepted to the other schools where he applied? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the themes of justice and injustice in Patron Saints of Nothing. How are these themes developed through the action of the story? How are they developed through character? What symbolism relates to these themes?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 741 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample