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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 was the name of Michael Dunbar's mother?

2. At least how many children did Penelope tell Michael she wanted?

3. What did Penelope ask Michael to read from to her after she broke her nose?

4. How many pages comprised the stack called "THE OLD PLAN" in "The Clay Stack"?

5. What color hair did Penelope have?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who are the Dunbar sons and what are their basic qualities?

2. Where is Michael's home and the bridge site located? How is this setting described?

3. What inner conflicts does Clay face regarding returning home after he has spent time at his father's home?

4. How did Michael propose to Penelope? How did she respond?

5. What essential information is related in the prologue of the novel?

6. Where did Penelope go after fleeing the Eastern Bloc as a refugee?

7. What is the symbolic significance of Clay's lighter?

8. How is the setting of The Surrounds described?

9. What did Michael do after his mother died? Why?

10. How do Clay's brothers help him train?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Identify and discuss three examples of foreshadowing or red herrings in Bridge of Clay. What is the clue and what is foreshadowed? Does this example serve to create tension? Does it serve to develop humor?

Essay Topic 2

Identify three examples of imagery in Bridge of Clay (simile, metaphor, onomatopoeia, etc.). What is being described? How does each example serve the reader? What effects do these comparisons have?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the literary and mythological allusions in Bridge of Clay. What classical works are frequently referred to? What is their significance? How do these works connect to the overall themes of the novel?

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This section contains 674 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample