View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Jean treat herself to in Alice Springs?

2. When Jean and the Bowens pass by the tree where Joe had been nailed, what do they see?

3. How many girls does Small think would work regularly for £5 a week in a shoe factory?

4. What is served at tea time which shocks Jean?

5. Visiting Cairns, a prosperous town of some 2,000, what does Jean find waiting for her?

Short Essay Questions

1. Briefly describe poddy dodging.

2. What is Jean's cover story about why she is looking for Harman?

3. Why are reporters waiting around the airport at Darwin?

4. While Jean is looking for Joe in Australia, what is Joe doing?

5. How does Jean find Midhurst where Joe lives and works?

6. Learning in Alice Springs that Joe is all right and able to work, why does Jean not just return to England?

7. How is Jean helped in finding out information about Joe Harman?

8. Describe the outback custom Jean learns that shows her determination to fit in and settle there.

9. Briefly describe Jean's shoe making project.

10. Why does Jean stay outside the bar while Joe and Whelan discuss leasing agreements with the Shire Clerk?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write a critique of A TOWN LIKE ALICE. Evaluate Nevil Shute as a story teller. Say what you think about his ability to describe people and places. Conclude with your recommendation as to who should read the book.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay on the importance of gathering facts and making plans before attempting a project. Use Jean Paget and Mr. Strachan in your essay as examples. Do not forget to mention the planning that went into his trip to Australia. Make this essay a comment on the potential pitfalls of impulsive action. Some examples you might want to use include people who go out in boats without flotation devices, hikers who go out without water and first aid supplies, etc.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay about adjusting to difficult situations. Mention how Jean and the women had to adjust to being prisoners and later working in the rice paddies. Write about how Jean adjusted to Willstown and how the town adjusted to her. Conclude with the idea that at any given time, people may have to adjust to difficult situations. Identify appropriate action and behavior in a specific bad situation like being in a strange place and running out of money. Detail how to best deal with such a circumstance.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 704 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample