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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 had beaten Henry up in "The Grand Entrance"?

2. What did Henry refer to Clay as in "The Grand Entrance"?

3. Who is the photograph of in "The Photo"?

4. What job did Carey's mother take when the family moved to the city?

5. In what book did Ms. Kirkby place her number when loaning it to Clay in "The Warm-Armed Claudia Kirkby"?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the framing device that is used in the novel?

2. How does Clay learn about Carey's death? What does he do?

3. What is significant about the night that Clay and Carey spend together at The Surrounds in Part 6?

4. Why did Clay begin disappearing after Penelope's death? What did Matthew do about it?

5. How did Carey ultimately begin training as a jockey?

6. Why does Clay blame himself for Carey's death?

7. How did the Dunbar boys feel about playing piano? Why?

8. How is Ted Novac described?

9. What is the symbolic significance of the mattress at The Surrounds?

10. What is the significance of the cigarette pack in the piano?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Identify and discuss three examples of foreshadowing or red herrings in Bridge of Clay. What is the clue and what is foreshadowed? Does this example serve to create tension? Does it serve to develop humor?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the motif of light in Bridge of Clay. How does the author describe the light in Australia? In what instances is the brightness of the sun used symbolically? What does it represent?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the literary and mythological allusions in Bridge of Clay. What classical works are frequently referred to? What is their significance? How do these works connect to the overall themes of the novel?

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