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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. How has Bruce been caring for his elderly aunt?

2. Who was Bruce's brother?

3. How does the person in #49 respond to Bruce's advice?

4. What does Bruce do with the item he steals from a neighbor's house?

5. How many siblings does Bruce have?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Bruce disappointed in his mother?

2. Who are Holly and Nola and what prompts Bruce to think of them?

3. Who is Nola and what is her role in Bruce's life?

4. How does the author show that Joe had been an important part of Bruce's life?

5. Why does Bruce hate his father for his own sake?

6. How did Bruce come to join the tennis club?

7. What is the nature of Bruce's father's work?

8. Who are the two friends that Bruce recalls as he reminisces about his childhood?

9. How does the elevator episode show Bruce's feelings for Nola?

10. What happened after Bruce finally made it into Nola's room?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Create a brief character study of Mr. Mason. What does he look like? What are his positive personality traits? What are some of his negative characteristics? What are his hopes and fears? What motivates him during his lifetime?

Essay Topic 2

Stegner uses beautifully descriptive language in the book to help his readers see his world from his perspective. Without referring to the book, describe Salt Lake City using only your recall of Stegner's descriptions. How do you visualize the city of Salt Lake City now that you have read Stegner's RECAPITULATION?

Essay Topic 3

The theme of the passage of time will be an important one in the novel. How does the author begin to build this theme? Give examples of the passage of time throughout the book.

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