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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. This story is based on ________________.

2. What do Norman and Mr. Maclean talk about while watching Paul fish?

3. Who in the family remains an average fisherman?

4. Why do Norman and Paul get a late start the next morning?

5. Why do Paul and Norman stop fishing to return to the others?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Paul try to avoid Norman?

2. What is Norman's reaction to the phone call?

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

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

5. Where do Norman and Paul escape from Norman's family problems a few days later?

6. Where do the two brothers go fishing?

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

8. Who are the two brothers in the story?

9. What is Reverend Maclean's second passion after religion?

10. On what is the story based?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Why does Norman find Jim Grierson to be such a repugnant character? What is known about Jim and Norman's backgrounds which may indicate the huge conflict in their personalities? Jim is probably intelligent because he reads all the time and he is crafty enough to make extra money, so where is the disconnect for Norman as far as Jim is concerned? Support your answer with examples.

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

Maclean's stories in this collection are based on real-life characters whom Norman feels are larger than life, certainly larger than himself. What character traits does Norman have that the other characters do not? Why is he just as important to the stories as the other characters he seems to admire?

(see the answer keys)

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