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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 Jacob see kill August?

2. What does Jacob beg Marlena not to do?

3. What is redlighted?

4. What compromise does August come up with for Rosie?

5. Who does Jacob and Walter decide to approach about caring for Camel?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does elderly Jacob learn about Rosemary that upsets him?

2. What happens when Jacob goes into Chicago with August and Marlena?

3. What is rumored to be wrong with the elephant?

4. How does August react to Marlena's injuries?

5. What happens when Jacob has too much to drink?

6. What does Jacob use to pay the doctor?

7. What does Jacob discover about Rosie?

8. Who becomes ill, forcing Jacob to examine him?

9. How does August react to Marlena's surprise?

10. How does Jacob convince Uncle Al to keep August from Marlena?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss setting. What is the setting of this novel? How does the setting of this novel directly affect the actions and behaviors of the characters? What is most significant about the setting in this novel? Why do you think the author chose this setting for her novel? Would the novel's plot work if the setting had been different, such as set in the future or the more immediate past? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss Jacob's education. What is Jacob studying in school? Why does Jacob not finish his degree? How close is Jacob to being finished? Why does Jacob choose not to finish? How does Jacob's education help him get a job with the circus?

Essay Topic 3

Why does Jacob not talk about his time with the circus when he is old and living in the assisted-living center? Is Jacob ashamed of his past? What is Jacob attempting to hide? Why does Jacob finally tell his story to a stranger, but a stranger who lives with a circus? What is it about the man's job that makes Jacob trust him? What does this say about the culture of the traveling circus?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 769 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample