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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. When growing up, Matthew says that he and his brothers should have had what printed on t-shirts because they said it a dozen times a day (244)?

2. On what street in Calamia did Carey's family have a house?

3. How much money did Henry make a night for months by walking the dogs of the patrons of the Naked Arms, according to Matthew in "Survival of the Dunbar Boys"?

4. Why had Jodie Etchells been held back in school?

5. Who is described as the champion of all the Trojans in "Love in the Time of Chaos"?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the clothing peg carried by Clay represent?

2. How did Penelope respond when Matthew refused to practice piano in his youth?

3. Who is Claudia Kirkby and what is her importance in the novel?

4. Why is Henry beaten up when he arrives home after Clay's return in Part 5?

5. What does the bridge signify in the novel?

6. How does Clay learn about Carey's death? What does he do?

7. How did the Dunbar boys feel about playing piano? Why?

8. What is the symbolic significance of Carey's bike lock?

9. Why did Clay begin disappearing after Penelope's death? What did Matthew do about it?

10. How is Ted Novac described?

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

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?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the theme of creative expression in Bridge of Clay. How is this theme developed through Michael Dunbar? How is the theme related to Penelope Dunbar? What statement is the author making regarding creative expression in the novel?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 732 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample