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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. What religion does Leo Finkle practice in the story "The Magic Barrel"?

2. What does the narrator's father hope to accomplish by playing cards in the story "The Lover of Horses"?

3. What type of travel does the narrator in "Dream Children" believe in?

4. Where does Billy stab the young woman, causing a terrible scar?

5. How old is David in the story "Walking Out"?

Short Essay Questions

1. What lie did James tell his fellow bus riders in the story "The Liar"?

2. How does the monkey die in the story "Letters from the Samantha"?

3. Why don't roommates Henry and Osmond get along in the story "The Christian Roommates"?

4. Why doesn't the grandmother want to go on vacation with her family in the story "A Good Man is Hard to Find"?

5. Why did Sam's ex-wives walk out on him in the story "The Wedding"?

6. Why does Gil make his way to Galven's house in the story "Ile's Forest," and what is his greeting there?

7. How does a monkey end up aboard ship in the story "Letters from the Samantha"?

8. What type of hunting experience does the fisherman and his boys have in the story "The Ledge"?

9. What happens after David accidentally shoots his father in the leg in the story "Walking Out"?

10. What strains threaten to ruin the marriage of Leroy Moffitt and Norma Jean in the story "Shiloh"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the story "Fever," Carlyle has three main women in his life who play a part in helping him heal from his "sickness." Describe the sickness that Carlyle suffers from in his story. Choose two of the important women in his life and describe their role in helping him heal. What is the same about their methods of care? What is different? Describe how Carlyle emerged from his sickness, and what he learned about his life and relationships while he was ill. Be sure to include examples from the text that you believe strengthen your arguments.

Essay Topic 2

"Water Liars" expresses the relationship between truth and story telling. Choose one of the stories that the men told on Farte's Pier and express whether or not you believe the story to be true and why. Why do the men on the pier continue to tell the story? What message is sent to the reader about the value of truth, or lack thereof, in a good story? How do the stories told at Farte's Pier help the narrator cope with his personal problems? Be sure to include examples from the text that you believe strengthen your arguments.

Essay Topic 3

The story "Ile Forest," centers around one singular crime and the idea of man judging another man, or absolving him of his crimes. First, describe the crime that was committed in Ile's Forest. Who was involved? What was the outcome of the crime? Choose two characters from Ile's present life and describe how these two characters judged Ile for his crime. Were they willing to forgive him? Why or why not? In the end, do you think justice was served to Ile for his crimes? Why or why not? Be sure to include examples from the text that you strengthen your arguments.

(see the answer keys)

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