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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. To whom does Avey offer up her Beg Pardon?

2. What is another name for the Old Parents?

3. What did Avey do during the discrimination of black people in the 1960s and 1970s?

4. What does Rosalie do for Avey?

5. What does Avey recall about Jerome's face as he lay in his casket?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Avey feel her family exchanged for its affluence?

2. What is Lebert's interest in determining Avey's tribe?

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

4. In what ways is Avey's meltdown at the hotel a clearing of the path for her spiritually?

5. What is Avey doing in Chapter 4 at the same time she was supposed to be flying back to America?

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

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

8. Describe how Avey has now integrated all the parts of her life into an authentic whole person.

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain the concept of loneliness as it exhibits in the story. Which of the characters are lonely? Are they all lonely in some way? Explain the loneliness and the methods and attempts to overcome it.

Essay Topic 2

Marshall is a master at dramatic devices. Choose an example of symbolism, metaphor, and irony, briefly describe them and identify the technique which they embody.

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)

This section contains 1,181 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample