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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. Why does Paul invite Norman to stay the night at his house?

2. What fact do the men not realize at the end of this day?

3. Who in the family becomes an expert fisherman?

4. What do the brothers always wonder about each other?

5. Why is Jessie angry at Norman?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do Norman and Paul find when they return to the spot where they left the car?

2. How does Norman react to Neal's arrival a few days later?

3. Who are the two brothers in the story?

4. Where do the two brothers go fishing?

5. What do Norman's wife and mother-in-law finally realize about Neal?

6. On what is the story based?

7. What is the occupation of Norman and Paul's father?

8. Why does Norman not remain to fish with Neal?

9. Neal declares that he wants to fish but what does he do instead?

10. Who goes on the fishing trip the next morning?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain the concept of irony as it relates to Jim's not eating any pie even after he has complained relentlessly that the cooks do not serve any pie for breakfast. Why would Maclean choose to include this example of Jim's behavior? Not having pie for breakfast does not seem like a big infraction, so why does Jim not let it go? Then, after he has accomplished his goal of getting pie served in the mornings, why does he not eat it?

Essay Topic 2

Compare and contrast Norman and Jim Grierson. They seem to be complete opposites, yet Norman agrees to work with Jim. What would make Norman push past his personal distaste for Jim and agree to the working arrangement? Do you think Norman ever found any redeeming qualities in Jim?

Essay Topic 3

Mrs. Maclean dotes on Paul and refuses to talk about his death at the end of the story. Explain the concept of denial and how Mrs. Maclean will not address Paul's alcoholism. By refusing to look at Paul's weakness, how does Mrs. Maclean inadvertently contribute to Paul's death?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 708 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample