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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 question does Simon often ask Ruth?

2. Why does Vera order Cal to drive home in Chapter 6?

3. Why do the islanders shun Ruth?

4. What first attracts Stan to Mary?

5. Who is Senator Simon Adams' twin?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Ruth's birth.

2. Describe the scenery along Ellis Road.

3. How are the men on the islands described?

4. What does Simon tell Rhonda not to do in Chapter 1? Why does he give her this advice?

5. Who dies in Chapter 1? How does this death impact the other characters?

6. Why does Ruth go in to see Lanford alone in Chapter 3? How does he greet her?

7. Why is Ruth sent to Delaware? How does she feel about this move?

8. What do Simon and Webster look for at Potter Beach in Chapter 2 and why?

9. Describe Ruth's childhood as described in Chapter 1.

10. How do Stan and Mary meet? What do they think of one another when they first meet?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the motif of family in the novel "Stern Men". Describe Ruth's relationship with her father and mother. Describe the Pommeroy and Ellis families.

Essay Topic 2

Analyze and interpret the protagonist of the novel. Ruth Thomas. What are her defining character traits? What is most important to her and why? What important events take place during her life?

Essay Topic 3

Describe Ruth's dreams and why she desires them. What is the connection between Ruth's dreams and ambitions and the setting of the novel? What obstacles might have prevented Ruth from achieving her dreams?

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