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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 does Ruth steal money from?

2. What does Ruth's father keep behind the counter in his store?

3. Who does James interview in his book?

4. Where was James' mother supposed to meet James after kindergarten?

5. How did James view his mother as a young boy?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens to James when his mother forgets to pick him up from kindergarten?

2. Why is music important to James?

3. How does James react to Hunter's death?

4. How do things begin to go downhill for James when Hunter Jordan dies?

5. Describe the household James was brought up in.

6. Describe the cool father at the end of Chapter 4.

7. How does Ruth's life take a turn for the worse when the family moves to Virginia?

8. How does Ruth react to Hunter Jordan's death?

9. Describe Ruth's school years.

10. How does Peter change Ruth's life?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare the characters of Hunter Jordan and Andrew McBride.

1) What attracted both of them to Ruth?

2) How did they both improve Ruth's life?

3) What were their similarities and differences?

Essay Topic 2

Pick a character from the novel and discuss his goals and motives. Does he achieve his motive? Why? Does he share similar goals and motives with other characters? Do his goals clash with other characters? How do the characters' goals and motives affect their interaction with each other?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss differences between the novel and autobiography formats. What are the main elements of a novel? What are the main elements of an autobiography? What can novelists express that an autobiographer cannot? How can autobiographies keep to the facts while still maintaining a level of entertainment?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 692 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample