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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 is streaked on Jancy's car after the accident, which makes her think about her father?

2. How far does David carry his father on his back after accidentally shooting him in the leg?

3. From what country is "The General" in the story "Redemption?

4. What instrument does Jack learn to play as a way of coping with his brother's death?

5. In the story "Ile Forest," what does Gil do for a living?

Short Essay Questions

1. What instrument does Jack Hawthorne learn to play in the story "Redemption," and why?

2. What type of obsessions affect the narrator's family in "The Lover of Horses"?

3. Why does the rabbi call the young boys "Murderers!" in the story of the same name?

4. How does David Hawthorne die in the story "Redemption," and what is his family's reaction?

5. How does the fisherman die in the story "The Ledge"?

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

7. Who is Arnold Friend in the story "Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?"

8. How did the older woman in "The Story of a Scar" get the scar on her face?

9. What does Ozzy demand of his spectators in the story "The Conversation of the Jews"?

10. What stories do the old men from the cove tell the narrator in the story "Water Liars"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

"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.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

"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.

(see the answer keys)

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