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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 the name of Roberta's sister's husband?

2. Where does Samuel offer Clyde a job?

3. Who does Roberta's behavior remind Clyde of?

4. Where do Roberta and Clyde plan to meet?

5. What is the name of Sparser's luxury vehicle?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Mason ask for a special session of the grand jury?

2. Why does Sparser drive at such a careless speed?

3. How does Roberta and Clyde's relationship become even more complicated in book 2, chapter 38?

4. How do the two letters show the difference between Sondra and Roberta?

5. How does Dreiser show Clyde and Roberta's fragmented thoughts?

6. In what way does the landscape play an important part in chapter 29, book 1?

7. What important decision does Clyde make in chapter 40, book 2?

8. Why does Clyde accept McMillan's company?

9. Describe Roberta and Clyde's day out in chapter 18, book 2.

10. How has Clyde's behavior affected those around him?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Using examples to support your argument discuss the following statement. Dreiser prose is pedestrian, uninspired and cliched.

Essay Topic 2

Choose one of the characters from the novel.

1) What is the character's background?

2) What is the character's motivation and goals?

3) What do you think the character adds to the story? How would the story change if the character was taken away?

Essay Topic 3

Dreiser was a socialist. Using two examples from the novel, discuss the ways the story reflects Dreiser's political ideas?

(see the answer keys)

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