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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 movie were the Dunbar brothers watching when Henry arrived at home in "The Grand Entrance"?

2. How long after his father's disappearance did Clay begin looking for him?

3. Where did Carey win her first race?

4. What movie were the Dunbar boys watching when Clay left in "Central"?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Michael give Clay to take to Carey in Part 6?

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

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

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

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

6. Why does Clay blame himself for Carey's death?

7. What does the bridge signify in the novel?

8. What illness did Penelope develop and how did it affect her?

9. How did Tommy come to own Achilles?

10. What is significant about the night that Clay and Carey spend together at The Surrounds in Part 6?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the symbolism of the bridge in Bridge of Clay. What does the bridge represent to the characters in the story? What does it represent to you as a reader? What themes are evoked through this symbolism?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the impact of Penelope's death on the Dunbar family. How did each member of the family cope with this loss? Who was affected the most by Penelope's death? Why?

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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