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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 nervous movement does J.P. make when he tells his stories?

2. What phrase does the narrator use for casually talking with someone?

3. In the story, what is the chimney a metaphor for?

4. What state is the girlfriend in when they arrive at the facility?

5. How many children do J.P. and his wife have?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is J.P. drawn to his wife when they meet?

2. Why does J.P. say the proprietor makes him feel like a "bug"?

3. What does Tiny represent?

4. What is the significance of the way Roxy is dressed on New Year's Day?

5. How is the image of rain used in the story?

6. What are the signs that J.P. is making a recovery?

7. What is the significance of the call the narrator intends to make to his wife at the end of the story?

8. How is friendship presented in the story?

9. Why does the author keep mentioning the coal bucket?

10. How does J.P. treat his wife?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss how emotional and physical isolation are connected in the story.

Essay Topic 2

The author never gives an explanation for why any of the characters drink. How does the story cultivate an understanding of alcoholism? Is it a weakness, a disease, or a combination of things?

Essay Topic 3

"Where I'm Calling From" was first published more than 25 years ago. If Raymond Carver were writing a story about addiction today, how might it be different?

(see the answer keys)

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