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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. In the story "The Liar," in what country does James say he works with young children?

2. How does Jancy's father react when she tells him that she is driving to visit with her boyfriend?

3. How old is the narrator's father when he becomes ill in "The Lover of Horses"?

4. What instrument does Jack learn to play as a way of coping with his brother's death?

5. What do the sailors use to coax the monkey down from the mast when it is upset?

Short Essay Questions

1. What type of relationship does the narrator have with her dead son in the story "Dream Children"?

2. What happens when the monkey goes wild aboard the ship in the story "Letters from the Samantha"?

3. How does David Hawthorne die in the story "Redemption," and what is his family's reaction?

4. What type of obsessions affect the narrator's family in "The Lover of Horses"?

5. What happens after David accidentally shoots his father in the leg in the story "Walking Out"?

6. How did the older woman in "The Story of a Scar" get the scar on her face?

7. Why doesn't the grandmother want to go on vacation with her family in the story "A Good Man is Hard to Find"?

8. What strains threaten to ruin the marriage of Leroy Moffitt and Norma Jean in the story "Shiloh"?

9. What lie did James tell his fellow bus riders in the story "The Liar"?

10. What does Ozzy demand of his spectators in the story "The Conversation of the Jews"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the story "Weekend," age becomes a factor in the relationships George forms. First, describe the women that George has a tendency to get romantically involved with. Where does he meet these women? What does their age difference tend to be? Explain the ways that George medicates himself through romantic relationships. What else does George depend on to make himself feel good about the age differences in his love life? Be sure to include examples from the text that you believe strengthen your arguments.

Essay Topic 2

The story "Ile Forest," centers around one singular crime and the idea of man judging another man, or absolving him of his crimes. First, describe the crime that was committed in Ile's Forest. Who was involved? What was the outcome of the crime? Choose two characters from Ile's present life and describe how these two characters judged Ile for his crime. Were they willing to forgive him? Why or why not? In the end, do you think justice was served to Ile for his crimes? Why or why not? Be sure to include examples from the text that you strengthen your arguments.

Essay Topic 3

Many critics have claimed that the story "Willi" is a cautionary tale against the danger of infidelity. Describe the situation through which infidelity is introduced into this story. Create a list of emotions generated by the characters in this story after the infidelity is revealed. Explain whether you agree with the critics who claim this story to be a cautionary tale and explain why. Be sure to include examples from the text that you believe strengthen your argument.

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