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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 does Jim complain to the cooks about?

2. What does Jim never eat at breakfast?

3. How old is Norman when he first meets Jim?

4. How does Norman view the answer to #93?

5. How do the two men eventually work together?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Norman regain some composure after his trying days with Jim?

2. Why does Norman make this decision?

3. How is Jim's behavior at dinner?

4. What question does Jim not ask Norman at dinner?

5. Why is Norman especially annoyed when Jim has an affair with a local woman?

6. What does Norman fear about Jim?

7. What happens when Jim invites Norman to his home for dinner?

8. What is Jim's wintertime job?

9. What is Jim's complaint about the cooks?

10. How does Norman perceive Jim?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Like Neal, Paul also has a problem with alcohol but Paul is able to maintain a home and keep a job. Compare and contrast the characters of Paul and Neal. Unfortunately, Paul's struggle with alcohol has a tragic end. Do you think Paul's personality would have allowed any restrictions or was he a bright flame that was destined to burn out early? What do you think was Neal's fate?

Essay Topic 2

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 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?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 634 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample