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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 does Lebert try to get Avey to remember?

2. What is the name of the boat that will take Avey to Carriacou?

3. What is the name of a dance that Avey remembers?

4. While Avey is on the boat, where does she dream that she is?

5. In the sermon, the preacher reminds the congregation that Jesus said he would rise from the dead ___________ after his death.

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Avey meet Lebert Joseph?

2. Describe the awakening Avey, who is subconsciously preparing to reclaim her life, experiences.

3. Describe how Avey's massage becomes almost like a sacred ritual in renewing her in body and spirit.

4. How does Avey know she has come back to herself?

5. What is revealed about the women on the boat by the way they care for Avey?

6. In whose care had Avey been during the night of the boat trip to the island?

7. What is the sermon that Avey recalls hearing as a little girl?

8. What does Avey reminisce about her father and family trips as she is waiting on the dock?

9. What did the preacher say was the purpose of the sermon about the risen Christ?

10. What does Lebert regard Avey as and how does he convince her to go to the island with him?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain the significance of the book's title. What did the author mean by calling the novel Praisesong for the Widow? What other title could you suggest? State a reason to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Describe the overall setting for the novel. Why does Marshall use the setting she does? What is the time period of the story? How important is the time period to the attitudes and issues of the characters?

Essay Topic 3

Create a brief character study of Avey. What does she look like? What are her positive personality traits? What are some of her negative characteristics? What are her hopes and fears? What motivates her, if anything, at this point in her life?

(see the answer keys)

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