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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. Why is the location of the apartment in which Claude lives with his mother important?

2. Where is Emma taken for questioning about her suspected communist activities?

3. What is currently in the room shown to Claude by Peter Fisk?

4. What does Claude decide to do regarding the intimate relationship that has developed between his mother and Al Johnson?

5. Why does Mrs. Fisk buy an instrument for Catherine in the music store?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is Lady's lack of drive and ambition a disadvantage in understanding Claude's life?

2. How has it benefited Claude that he didn't know who his real father was and the conditions under which he was conceived?

3. Why is performing with Mr. Fredericks at a music festival important for Claude?

4. What do we learn about Mr. Powers when he has Claude's past investigated?

5. Why does Mr. Weisfeld panic when Claude awakens him at four o'clock in the morning to share his new composition?

6. What does Claude realize about Mr. Weisfeld's feelings for him only after Mr. Weisfeld dies?

7. Summarize the pivotal events which occur in Claude's life from the time Mr. Fredericks asks Claude to play at a music festival with him to the time he meets Mr. Larkin, who is on a college scholarship committee.

8. Why does it bother Claude to play boogie-woogie on the piano at a party given by one of Lady's friends?

9. Aside from music lessons and accessories, what does Claude acquire from Mr. Weisfeld's music store?

10. What does Catherine Fisk tell Claude when he asks her why she invited him to the Bentley School mixer?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How is the social class and occupation of each character important? How does the economic, political, and social environment affect the lives of Emma and Claude and Lady Powers? Give examples to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

What distinguishing characteristics of Frank Conroy's writing style would help you to identify other works by him? Would you consider Frank Conroy's style to have individuality? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

How do forces outside his control influence Claude's outcome at the end of Body and Soul? Are these influences positive, negative, or indifferent? Give examples from the story to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 997 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample