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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. What problem does Forney's sister have?

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

3. What city does Willy Jack's cousin live in?

4. What causes Novalee from being polite while at Sister Husband's house?

5. What state does Willy Jack's mother live in?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. Novalee visits the Whitecotton place. What does she learn?

4. What is the true nature of Willy Jack Pickens?

5. How does the media react to Novalee's baby?

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

7. How does Forney contrast to Novalee?

8. Why is the buckeye tree important to Novalee?

9. How does Novalee show her unique perspective of photography at Rattlesnake Ridge?

10. Why is Claire obsessed with Band-Aids?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is the connection in the story between Mary Elizabeth Hull, Sister Husband, and Ray? Do they meet at the same place? Explain as much as you can about this connection.

Essay Topic 2

The buckeye tree and the Christmas tree are important in this story. To whom are they important? Why and how are they important? Is there a relationship between these trees and superstition?

Essay Topic 3

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?

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