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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. Which of the following adjectives does NOT describe the mysterious gypsy that arrives in town in the story "The Fisherman from Chihuahua"?

2. To what does the narrator in the story "1/3, 1/3, 1/3" compare his neighbor, the poor woman?

3. Which of the following alcoholic beverages is Sonny's drink of choice?

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

5. What news does Arty receive about his father on the first day he visits him in the mental institution?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. What types of authors did Jenks and Carver seek to publish in this short story collection?

5. What prompts the narrator in "Sonny's Blues" to reach out to his incarcerated brother?

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

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

8. 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?

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

10. Why does Daniel aggressively attack Noel in the story "The Amish Farmer"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

"Shiloh" is yet another tale of a couple torn apart by the loss of their child. First, describe how Leroy and Norma's child died and what each of their reactions was to this loss. Describe how the loss of a child affected Norman and Lyle's marriage. What does Lyle want for and from Norma? What does Norma want for and from Lyle? At the end of the story, do you think there is hope for Norma and Lyle making their marriage work? Why or why not? Be sure to include examples from the text that you believe strengthen your arguments.

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

The story "The Lover of Horses" is a story about obsessions. First, create a list of the obsessions present in the family of the narrator. Which of these obsessions do you think is most harmful to the family's function? Why? Choose one of the obsessions from your list and explain how it leads to heartache for some characters, and a sense of grandeur for others. Finally, explain how the narrator is able to succumb to her own obsessions only as a method of letting her father go. Be sure to include examples from the text that you believe strengthen your arguments.

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