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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. Novalee calls Sister Husband from the hotel to check on Americus. What is the new song Americus learned while Novalee is on her trip?

2. While in jail, Willy Jack meets Claire Hudson. Who is she?

3. What is the name of the bar Willy Jack stops at?

4. How many children does Lexie Coup have?

5. What gift did Novalee want for Christmas and not receive from grandma?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Novalee learn about Benny's heritage through photography?

2. How is Novalee building the life she dreamed of?

3. Why is Willy Jack pulled over?

4. Who are the police considering as suspects in the disappearance of Americus?

5. How is Novalee's superstition coming into play?

6. Why is the buckeye tree important to Novalee?

7. Where do the police find Americus?

8. What is ironic about where Sister Husband lives and Novalee and her dream?

9. What are some clues that tell Novalee's life is improving throughout Chapter 23?

10. How does Forney contrast to Novalee?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There are times within the story that foreshadowing is a key element. List at least 3 events of foreshadowing evident throughout the story. Do you think that the author used foreshadowing effectively in this story? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

One of the major themes of the story is that of heart. How does this theme of heart play out in the lives of Novalee, Willy Jack, Sister Husband, Lexie, Forney, and Benny? Is this theme of heart in relationship to any other theme of the story? What theme? How?

Essay Topic 3

A lot happened to Forney within the story. Show specific ways that Forney has grown in his character throughout the story.

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