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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. Who brought home a saltcellar shaped like a robot?

2. Where does Ian meet Eli Everjohn?

3. Why does Thomas say Ian is playing hard to get when Ian returns from the Parent/Teacher conference?

4. When Agatha returns to the Bedloe house at Thanksgiving, what does she say about how the house looks?

5. Who is fifteen and does not want to attend church anymore?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the significance of Rita's choice of black-eyed peas and rice for Christmas Eve dinner?

2. When Rita begins to bleed while she's at the bar, how does Daphne's boyfriend Curt take charge of the situation?

3. Why does Agatha refuse to go to church once she's fifteen?

4. Describe Eli Everjohn.

5. Why does Daphne call Ian "Saint Maybe"?

6. Why is it significant that Ian discovers Lucy's jewelry box with her important papers?

7. Why does Doug want to keep particular items of Bee's when the children are cleaning out the house?

8. How does Miss Pennington respond to Ian at the dinner party?

9. What kind of cradle does Ian build in Chapter Ten?

10. When Rita begins talking about having children, why is Ian reluctant at first?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss Reverend Emmett as a force of change in Ian's life. In what way does he influence Ian to accept his role as the children's caregiver? Does he help Ian to better understand himself? Provide at least two textual examples to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

What specific details are used to describe Ariana Pennington? What is it about her that makes the children believe she would be a perfect wife for Ian? Why does Ian seem uninterested?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the significance of the airmailed bowling ball. Why do you think Lucy spends so much time making her decision to send it express? What is the significance of Danny's reaction to her choice to send it airmail?

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This section contains 866 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample