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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Hagar decorate her hair with?
(a) Some sand because it sparkles.
(b) Fishing rope.
(c) Shells of dead June bugs.
(d) Sea shells.

2. At age 90, Hagar recalls only two things she has done truly free. What are they?
(a) Retrieving the bedpan for her roommate and telling Marvin he was a better son than John.
(b) Having two sons, Marvin and John.
(c) Knitting socks for orphans and baking bread for the needy.
(d) Selling eggs and her mother's limoge china.

3. What causes Hagar to become nauseous and then fall in the woods?
(a) Her bowels haven't moved.
(b) The chocolate was bad.
(c) The smell of the fish.
(d) The cheese was bad.

4. Upon her arrival at Jess' house, with the box labeled "Clara Shipley", who does Hagar find talking to Jess?
(a) Christina.
(b) Arlene Simmons.
(c) John, asking about their father.
(d) Marvin.

5. What happened when Hagar didn't have enough money to send John to college?
(a) He applied for a loan.
(b) He started drinking and running around with fast women.
(c) He worked part-time and put himself through college.
(d) Mr. Oatley got him a job in an office.

Short Answer Questions

1. What calms Hagar as she is in the woods?

2. Hagar asks about Doris and Marvin comments that she has had one of her "spells." What is wrong with Doris?

3. What did Arlene have to do in order to bring John home?

4. Who does Hagar form and alliance with in hopes of keeping John and Arlene from marrying?

5. What does Murray say caused him to lose his faith?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Hagar try to be helpful to her roommate?

2. How is John's character forming in Chapter 6?

3. In Chapter 7, do you think John respects his mother?

4. Compare Hagar and Doris. Has their relationship changed during this book?

5. Hagar finds something in common with Elva, a recognition. How was this foreshadowed at her first visit to the nursing home?

6. What turns out to be Hagar's biggest character flaws?

7. In Hagar complaining that Arlene is always at the house, and then wishing she had not said it afterward, what does this say about Hagar?

8. Why do you think Hagar does not allow herself to cry in front of strangers?

9. In Chapter 7, Hagar's fear of the dark is admitted. Why do you think she has never told anyone she was afraid of the dark?

10. Describe the irony, at the end of Chapter 6, of Bram being buried in the Currie plot, and having the Shipley name carved on the other side of the Currie stone.

(see the answer keys)

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