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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. What happens to Bobby near the end of the work?

2. Where do Ike and Bobby go to help herd?

3. What does Mrs. Stearns tell Ike and Bobby to never do?

4. Why is Guthrie in Crowder's office with the Beckmans?

5. What do Ike and Bobby buy at the store for their mother?

Short Essay Questions

1. What strange thing is Ike's horse doing one morning and what does Guthrie say he will do?

2. Where do the McPheron brothers take Victoria, what do they do, and what is her response to it?

3. What does Guthrie tell Russell to do when Russell lies to Guthrie and what is the result of Guthrie's request?

4. Who do Ike and Bobby visit, what does she say and what does she do?

5. What does Victoria tell Maggie about the baby's father?

6. What does Crowder tell Russell Beckman's parents as to the reason they have been called to the office and what does Mrs. Beckman say? What does Russell say?

7. What does Maggie tell Harold at the store and what do he and his brother decide they need to do?

8. What happens when Guthrie goes to speak to Russell about what he did to Ike and Bobby?

9. Describe the conversation Tom Guthrie and Lloyd Crowder have about Russell Beckman's grade in American History.

10. What do the McPheron brothers do after Victoria's examination is finished?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the following:

1. What do you think are the characteristics of a successful novel?

2. Analyze and discuss Plainsong based upon the criteria you decide upon in #1 and judge if Plainsong is a successful novel. Explain your rationale with specific examples.

3. Do you think the fact that Plainsong is primarily for entertainment changes the criteria upon which its success should be judged? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

Characters are an integral and important part of almost all novels. Discuss the following:

1. Compare/contrast the characters of Ike Guthrie and Bobby Guthrie. How are they similar? How are they different? Is there a flaw in each of their personalities? Be specific and give examples.

2. Compare/contrast the characters of Tom Guthrie and Harold McPheron. How do they seem different? Which do you like more? Why? Which one seems more of a well-rounded character?

3. Thoroughly analyze how three of the secondary characters in Plainsong help drive the plot and what their contribution is to the storyline. Are any of the secondary characters unnecessary? Indispensable? Which of the secondary characters are likable? Which are either unlikable or even despicable? Be specific and give examples.

Essay Topic 3

The source of Russell's tendency for inappropriate behavior is obvious. With parents who lash out in vulgar tirades it is little wonder that Russell sees bullying and violence as acceptable behavior.

1. In light of the above statement discuss the saying: The apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Use examples from the text to support your answer.

2. Do you think Russell's behavior should be excused in view of what type of people his parents seem to be? Why or why not?

3. Discuss why Russell's behavior seems to reflect his parents. Use examples from the text to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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