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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 ritual does Mike do after the completion of his novel?

2. What is Mike's profession?

3. What does Mike demand regarding payment for the novel?

4. Who is the caretaker of the Sara Laughs cottage?

5. Sara Laughs is located on which lake in Maine?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Mike so moved by all that has happened to him since he has returned to Sara Laughs?

2. What does Mattie tell Mike is the reason she is in such a good mood after talking to John Storrow?

3. Does Mike's nightmare of arriving at Sara Laughs come true when Mike finally does arrive at the cottage?

4. Who is Bill Dean and what role does he serve in Mike's life?

5. What physical symptoms does Mike have during writer's block?

6. Who is the protagonist of the story and what tragedy befalls his wife very early in the story?

7. In what state of mind does Mike bring the Selectric typewriter to his office and what does he think is the reason?

8. Where does Mike go on his first vacation without Jo and what realization does he come to there?

9. Why does Mike think that there must not be a connection between Mattie and Max Devore, a wealthy man in the area?

10. When do Mike's nightmares begin?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The author used more than one iteration on the theme of loss. Identify at least two examples about loss in the book and explain why the examples support the theme.

Essay Topic 2

Explain the significance of the book's title. What does the author mean by calling it simply BAG OF BONES? What is he trying to emphasize with this emphatic style? Suggest three alternate titles for this book with supporting rationale for each.

Essay Topic 3

There are several events of foreshadowing in BAG OF BONES. Define foreshadowing. Cite at least two situations in the story that serve as foreshadowing.

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