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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. Where does Grace say Virgil is when Harris comes to visit her in Book Three?

2. What weapon does Isaac steal in Book Four?

3. Where do Grace and Harris meet in the end of Book Four?

4. How do the inmates plan to get Poe alone with the person they want him to beat up in Book Three?

5. Who does the officer ask for at Lee's door in Book Three?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Lee's response after a police officer comes to look for her brother in Book Three?

2. How is the theme of sacrifice explored in Book Four of American Rust?

3. How has Billy Poe's character evolved in Book Four? What has led to the changes in Poe's character?

4. How has Issac's character evolved in Book Three? How are the changes in Isaac's character revealed?

5. What leads up to the conflict between Poe and his cell-mate in Book Four? What is the outcome of the conflict?

6. What internal conflict does Poe face while in solitary confinement in Book Four?

7. What internal conflicts does Henry English face in Book Four?

8. What does Bud Harris discuss with his friends Riley, Chester, and Frank at the Dead End bar in Book Four?

9. What do Grace and Harris discuss when he visits her in Book Four?

10. What is the resulting outcome of Poe's fight in the cafeteria in Book Three?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the setting of the Fayette prison in the novel. How do the rules and morals within the prison differ from those in the outside world? How do Poe's experiences in the prison change him? Who are the major characters introduced at Fayette prison?

Essay Topic 2

Describe and analyze the character of Poe in American Rust. How is Poe's background described? Where is Poe living when his character is introduced? How does Poe's character evolve in the story? Where is Poe in the end of the novel?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the motif of suicide in American Rust. What characters have committed, attempt to commit, or do commit suicide in the novel? Why do they commit suicide? What do you think this indicates?

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This section contains 961 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample