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. What is the name of the new assistant professor hired after Sloane's death?

2. What is Edith's last name in the book?

3. How does Edith's mood change after their wedding on their way to their hotel?

4. How many years does the protagonist study his new subject in college?

5. How does Edith look at her child after she is born?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is William's early life on his family farm described for the first time in the book?

2. How is Edith and William's relationship described when they return from their honeymoon?

3. How does William come to decide to get a PhD in English?

4. How is William's experience in his first English class described?

5. How is William and Edith's first time making love described?

6. How is Hollis Lomax first described in the book?

7. How is William's first meeting with Edith described in the book?

8. How does William react after being offered a teaching job at the University of Missouri?

9. How is William's marriage proposal to Edith described?

10. How does William tell his parents about continuing to study English in college rather than agriculture?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Examine the author's portrayal of sexuality presented in the book. Part 1.) How is William's view of sexuality different with Edith than from his relationship with Katherine? Part 2.) What is he able to learn about the connection sexuality has with the mind from his relationship with Katherine?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the portrayal of infidelity presented in the book. How does the author present a different view of infidelity in William and Katherine's affair? Does it appear to be more acceptable given their unique situation?

Essay Topic 3

Examine the author's portrayal of farm life in the book. How is the way of life of William's parents on the farm different from what he finds in college and what did farm life prevent William from experiencing out of life that he found elsewhere?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 683 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample