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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 hands the bags to the bank tellers?

2. In what manner are the customers said to turn toward the bank robbers?

3. What color are the business suits worn by the bank robbers?

4. Who asks the question, "Whose slot is that" (11)?

5. What term is used to refer to the relationship between the bank robbers?

Short Essay Questions

1. What two-word name does the man with the pistol call Anders?

2. How does Wolff use allusion within the story?

3. Describe the first physical contact one of the robbers makes with Anders.

4. What is the first turn of phrase used by the man with the pistol that interests Anders and why?

5. How is the motif of violence featured within the very first section of the story?

6. Anders refers to the conflict at the center of the story as what object? Why?

7. What is the first command the man with the pistol gives to Anders and how does Anders respond?

8. Describe the setting in the opening of the story "Bullet in the Brain."

9. In what way is Anders shown to be hypocritical within the opening scene of the story?

10. Describe the man with the sawed-off shotgun.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analyze the interplay between the resolution of Wolff’s story "Bullet in the Brain" and one of the story's main messages. How does Wolff make connections between these elements and how does their juxtaposition help Wolff get across one main message of the story?

Essay Topic 2

Write a critical essay about "Bullet in the Brain" while using the critical power theory lens of Marxist theory. Use textual evidence to back up your strong, specific claim regarding the story's treatment of issues such as socioeconomic status, hierarchies, wealth, class, or any other issues related to Marxist theory that can be found in the short story.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss Wolff’s purpose for using scientific and realistic language to describe certain elements of the story, such as the path the bullet takes on its way through the protagonist’s cranium.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 950 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample