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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. Who does Neal's family think should take the blame for Neal's condition?

2. What is notable about Old Rawhide's derriere?

3. Who arrives at the train station a few days later?

4. Who catches the most fish on this day?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What happens one night after Norman and Paul spend the day fishing?

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

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

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

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

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

8. Which of the two brothers is the better fisherman?

9. On what is the story based?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In spite of their differences, Norman and Paul have learned to respect each other. Name some of the qualities and behaviors that differentiate the two brothers. How are the brothers alike? Why does Mrs. Maclean seem to favor Paul over Norman? Is it because Paul is the baby of the family? Or does Mrs. Maclean know that Paul is especially vulnerable?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Describe the irony in Norman's being punished and sent to a mountaintop location with spectacular vistas. Does Bill know that Norman will not be especially industrious on the mountaintop? Is the lesson one in which Norman is supposed to meditate on his mistakes and emerge with a different point of view? By opening up Norman's vistas, is Bill also opening up his mind and attitude?

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This section contains 632 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample