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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 the word "shelter" lean towards for May?

2. What does May's fortune cookie say?

3. What are some of May's favorite plants on campus?

4. What are lemon trees notorius for?

5. What did May's brother used to say about May and their mother?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does May mostly decide to do when Neera tells her about her marital problems?

2. What does May think about Rose's apartment?

3. What is special about the weeping birth?

4. What does May notice about the trees on campus?

5. What tree survived the Oklahoma City bombing, and what does it represent to May?

6. What happens on the beginning of May's trip to London?

7. What is one thing that makes May uncomfortable at night in Vanessa's?

8. What does Mona say Lindy said about May?

9. Why does Leo love petunias?

10. How does Leo try to connect with May when she is away visiting?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What are the "tree sheets" May gets from her father Earl, and what do they symbolize? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 2

What do you think is Kane's purpose in inserting May's allusions and references to famous works of literature throughout the novel? What effect do these allusions and references have on the reader and the reader's understanding of May's character? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 3

How does Kane treat and develop the topic of climate change throughout this novel? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

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