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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. How did Bernard make most of his money?

2. What year is it at the beginning of the second book, chapter 4?

3. How does Maureen feel about the loss of her notebook?

4. What happens to Jules at school?

5. What sort of relationship does Betty have with her brother and sister?

Short Essay Questions

1. What has changed about Maureen as a result of her catatonia?

2. What does Loretta think about her relationship with her children while she is in the shelter?

3. What is the content of Maureen's letters?

4. What happens to Loretta and Bernie?

5. What happens to Howard in Chapter 10 of the first book?

6. How does Maureen make money so she can leave her parents' house?

7. What is Jules and Nadine's relationship like after their reunion?

8. What are some of Maureen's responsibilities around the house after Loretta marries Pat?

9. What do Jules and Nadine end up doing in Chapter 5 of the second book?

10. What happens to Loretta after Howard's death?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The pronoun "them" is not only the title of the novel, but it is an idea alluded to many times throughout the story. What does the author mean by "them"? Who is she talking about? What point is she trying to convey by grouping so many different people under a single pronoun? What effect does the usage of this term have on your perception of the characters? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 2

The poverty-stricken and violent lifestyle endured by Loretta, as a child, continues on to her own children. Why is the cycle perpetuated with her own children? Is there anything she could have done differently do break this cycle? What was Loretta's childhood like? How did the cycle begin? Do you think Maureen will be able to break this cycle with her own child(ren)? Why or why not? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 3

The author barely mentions Loretta's two youngest children, Betty and Ronnie. Why do you think they are such minor characters? Why does the author focus only on Loretta's two oldest children? Would you, as a reader, have liked to know more about the two younger children? Why or why not? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

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