View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. How old is the narrator from the story, De Daumier-Smith's Blue Period, when his parents divorce?

2. Why does the narrator write a letter to Mr. Yoshoto?

3. What is Esme training herself to be?

4. How old is the boy in the story, Down at the Dinghy?

5. Why does the narrator say he hates chairs?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is the narrator so taken by Esme?

2. Why does Esme's long and complicated letter soothe the narrator more than one from his family?

3. What does Arthur do for a living? How does the reader know?

4. Why does the narrator like the bulletin board outside the church so much in For Esme -- with Love and Squalor?

5. How does the story, Down at the Dinghy, end?

6. Why does the narrator lie in his lengthy application letter to the art school in Montreal?

7. What happens to the narrator after he leaves the training course?

8. Why is it ironic that the school closes down for not having a business license?

9. Why does Sister Irma withdraw from classes at the art school?

10. Why does Arthur call Lee back and pretend Joanie is finally home?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss irony as a theme throughout the Nine Stories collection. How is it used to create suspense, power and other emotions that are meant to draw the reader into the stories?

Essay Topic 2

Compare and contrast your favorite story from Nine Stories to your least favorite story. Explain what you like and dislike from each story. Use specific examples from the book.

Essay Topic 3

Why does the narrator in De Daumier-Smith's Blue Period feel the need to lie about so many details in the letter of application for the art teaching position? Explore the reasons why he continues the lies upon arrival as well.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 817 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample