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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 do Norman and Paul see when they return from fishing?

2. The story is an _________________ one.

3. Norman and Paul's father is as passionate about _____________________ as he is about religion.

4. What is Norman's brother-in-law's major problem?

5. Who never speaks of the tragedy?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Norman's mother-in-law enlist Norman's help on Neal's behalf?

2. Why does Paul try to avoid Norman?

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

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

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

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

7. Where do the two brothers go fishing?

8. What favor does Norman ask of his brother, Paul?

9. Who are the two brothers in the story?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Norman never does achieve the level of esteem he hopes for from Bill. Does this have anything to do with Norman's choice not to return to Bill's crew the following summer? Or does Norman just want to expand his skill sets by working in a different area? Why would Bill ask Norman to return if he did not like him? Compare and contrast what Bill and Norman were looking for from each other.

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

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?

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This section contains 624 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample