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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 long does Mrs. Webster work for Carlyle before he notes a distinct change in his life?

2. In the story "The Amish Farmer," why does Noel drive off the road in Amish country?

3. How do the school children respond to John Williams when he joins their school?

4. Which of the following is NOT a way that Louise reacts when she begins to gain weight during her pregnancy?

5. Which of the following elements is NOT true about Sean's childhood memory of his father?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Why does Lenore comfort George at the end of the story "Weekend"?

3. Why is Willi Varig hired to tell his story to an audience of people in the story, "Talk of Heroes"?

4. How does Arty's father react when his son comes for a visit at the mental institution in the story "The Bystander"?

5. How does Louise's husband react when Louise gains weight during her pregnancy?

6. Why doesn't Push like John Williams, and what does he do about it?

7. How does Willie's father react when Willi tells him what he witnessed in the barn?

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

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

10. What unfortunate site does Willi witness in the story of the same name, and how does the young boy react to what he's seen?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

In the story "Weekend," age becomes a factor in the relationships George forms. First, describe the women that George has a tendency to get romantically involved with. Where does he meet these women? What does their age difference tend to be? Explain the ways that George medicates himself through romantic relationships. What else does George depend on to make himself feel good about the age differences in his love life? Be sure to include examples from the text that you believe strengthen your arguments.

Essay Topic 3

"The Fat Girl" is a story of a woman who struggles with every relationship in her life, from her relationship with others to her relationship with herself. Describe why Louise struggles to love herself. Describe what steps Louise takes to better her life and the outcome of these attempts. Explain how Louise's struggles for love and acceptance rear their head again once she is married and has become a mother. What does Louise give up in order to find herself again? What is Louise's emotional journey? Be sure to include examples from the text that you believe strengthen your argument.

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