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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 many children does Carlyle have?

2. Which of the following was NOT a way Louise's roommate uses to support Louise in her weight loss goals?

3. How many stories are included in this collection?

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

5. In the story "Sonny's Blues," in which branch of the armed forces did the narrator serve?

Short Essay Questions

1. 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?

2. What type of relationship does Louise have with her mother in the story "The Fat Girl"?

3. What arrangement is struck-up between the three destitute characters in the story "1/3, 1/3, 1/3"?

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

5. What does Sonny blame his heroin addiction on?

6. What type of relationship does Carlyle form with Mrs. Webster in 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 type of relationship does George have with his ex-students?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the story "The Amish Farmer," Vance, a teacher, attempts to tell a story to his students to explain point-of-view. First, describe the story that Vance tells his students. How does Vance believe this story shows point-of-view narration? Do you agree with Vance? Why or why not? Then, describe Vance's students' reaction to his story. How does the reaction from the students exemplify Vance's lesson for the readers? Be sure to include examples from the text to strengthen your arguments.

Essay Topic 2

"The Christian Roommates" is the story of two young men who come together in college and end up changing each others lives irrevocably. First, describe the two roommates, Orson and Henry. What is the same about these two young men? What is different about them? Then, choose at least two arguments the two roommates got into during their time together at Harvard. How did these arguments affect their friendship? Finally, choose one of the two roommates and explain what happened to them after graduation. How was their life irrevocably altered by the roommate they spent time with at Harvard? Be sure to include examples from the text to strengthen your arguments.

Essay Topic 3

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.

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