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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. How are Sonny and the narrator related in "Sonny's Blues"?

2. In the story "Fever", who is Carol?

3. What is the name of Earl's daughter?

4. What emotion does Carlyle use to describe his life now that Mrs. Webster is involved in it?

5. Who is responsible for finding Mrs. Webster, Carlyle's future babysitter?

Short Essay Questions

1. What memory does Sean have of his father from when he was a 6 year old boy in the story "Midair"?

2. What type of relationship does Carlyle form with Mrs. Webster in the story "Fever"?

3. What type of relationship do George and Lenore have in the story "Weekend"?

4. Why has Earl taken to the road in "Rock Springs" and who does he take with him?

5. What interesting behavior does Damaso exhibit while in town in the story "The Fisherman From Chihuahua"?

6. What pleasant memory does the young girl from the story "Verona" have about her father from her childhood?

7. What is Carlyle's life like at the opening of the story "Fever"?

8. What is Sean's married life like?

9. What type of relationship does George have with his ex-students?

10. How does Arty react in the story "The Bystander" when his father is committed to a mental institution?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the story "A Good Man is Hard to Find," the grandmother has an obsession with one article of clothing. First, describe that article of clothing and explain why it is so important to the grandmother. What does the grandmother think this item of clothing represents? Then, explain what happens to this article of clothing as the story progresses. How does the change in the clothing item represent the emotional and moral changes occurring in the grandmother's character? Be sure to include examples from the text that you believe strengthen your arguments.

Essay Topic 2

In the story "Redemption," Dale and Jack deal with David's death in different ways. Describe what the relationship between these two characters was like before David's death and compare it to what their relationship is like after David's death. How did each of these men cope with their loss? Explain how Jack eventually found "redemption" for his emotions. How did this sense of redemption affect his relationship with Dale? Be sure to include examples from the text that you believe strengthen your arguments.

Essay Topic 3

The story "Push" is all about the dangers of threats, either real or imagined. First, describe the two main characters of the story. What is the same about these two boys? What is different? Describe how they threaten one another and what actions each boy takes to ensure that they are the most popular kid on the playground. Then, describe the events of the boy's final fight on the playground. Which was victorious? What did each of the boys learn about themselves through their fights and threats for popularity? Be sure to include examples from the text that you believe strengthen your arguments.

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