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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. When does Nora return home after visiting her father?

2. Why is Charlie not tried for the grain elevator theft?

3. What accident does Jessie suffer?

4. What is notable about Jessie's third birth?

5. To whom do the townspeople direct their anger when Charlie Soames is no longer a viable target?

Short Essay Questions

1. What job does Jessie take even though she is in the late stages of pregnancy?

2. Why are the people in Holt so angry at Charlie Soames?

3. What is Jessie like, and what do the townspeople think of her?

4. How does Jessie interact with the people in town?

5. Why does Jack's crime make the people of Holt dislike Jessie even more?

6. What does Jack warn Pat about when Pat visits him in jail?

7. What does Jack do that shows why he came back to Holt, and what do his actions do to Pat?

8. What happens to Pat's marriage to Nora after the death of their daughter?

9. What personal tragedy does Pat suffer in the Summer of 1982?

10. What happens to finally make the townspeople leave Jessie alone?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare and contrast Jack Burdette and Pat Arbuckle. As young men, both are trying to carve out new lives but seem to have different methods and goals. How are Jack and Pat alike? How are they different? On what things do they agree? What is the thing that threatens to separate them? What other similarities and dissimilarities are there between the two characters?

Essay Topic 2

The author uses several instances of foreshadowing in the story. Explain what foreshadowing is and cite at least two examples making sure to explain what makes each an instance of foreshadowing.

Essay Topic 3

What is the point of view of the story? What are the benefits and the limitations to this particular point of view? How is the point of view determined? Provide an example that supports your answer.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 911 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample