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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 is Swede's last name in the book?

2. How many years had Swede's daughter been in hiding according to Jerry in Chapter 3?

3. Whom does Swede remember watching on TV and has an imaginary conversation with in Chapter 4?

4. What does Merry become temporarily interested in as a child that is associated with her grandmother?

5. What does Swede explain everything about to Rita when they first meet?

Short Essay Questions

1. How are the adolescents in Nathan's neighborhood described in Chapter 2?

2. What is Nathan fascinated with in regard to his childhood culture?

3. Describe Nathan's interaction with his old girlfriend Joy at his class reunion.

4. How does the narrator describe the post-war energy of his neighborhood in Chapter 2?

5. How does the narrator describe the lack of a generation gap in his neighborhood?

6. What is the nature of Nathan's conversation with Ira at the high school reunion?

7. What does Nathan reminisce about regarding his high school memories while preparing a speech for his reunion?

8. How does the narrator describe Swede and Merry at a seaside cottage and their return from it?

9. How are Merry's physical attributes described as she grows up?

10. How does Rita taunt Swede sexually in Chapter 4?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the portrayal of the family structure in the book. What might the author be saying about the typical portrayal of the family structure based on his depiction of Swede's family?

Essay Topic 2

Compare and contrast Jerry and Swede. What is significant about the personality and moral differences in these two characters?

Essay Topic 3

Examine the character Dawn. In what way did Dawn create her own depression by placing the blame on Merry's indiscretions?

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