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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. The women in front of Anders take what action when they see the bank teller having a conversation with another bank employee?

2. The man with the shotgun moves with "a peculiar" (10) what?

3. The women in front of Anders look at the bank teller in what manner when she begins to have a conversation with another bank employee?

4. Anders uses what term to mentally describe the woman in front of him in line who has just spoken to him?

5. What adjective does Anders add as a qualifier to the name he mentally calls the woman in front of him in line?

Short Essay Questions

1. For what purpose does the man with the sawed-off shotgun put down his weapon at one point?

2. How is the motif of violence featured within the very first section of the story?

3. Contrast Anders's reaction to the bank robbery with the reaction of the woman in front of Anders in line.

4. Describe the setting in the opening of the story "Bullet in the Brain."

5. What does the man with the sawed-off shotgun do with his weapon when he needs both hands to complete a different task?

6. Describe the man with the sawed-off shotgun.

7. At what time of day does the story take place?

8. Describe the first physical contact one of the robbers makes with Anders.

9. What is the first turn of phrase used by the man with the pistol that interests Anders and why?

10. In what way is Anders shown to be hypocritical within the opening scene of the story?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the reasons why "Bullet in the Brain" uses an omniscient narrator and a plot that unfolds largely in real time. What elements of the story's themes lend themselves to these choices and what are Wolff’s intended effects on the reader?

Essay Topic 2

Analyze the use of repetition throughout the story. What is Wolff’s purpose for employing the device frequently as he tells the story of “Bullet in the Brain”?

Essay Topic 3

Write a critical essay about "Bullet in the Brain" while using the critical power theory lens of Marxist theory. Use textual evidence to back up your strong, specific claim regarding the story's treatment of issues such as socioeconomic status, hierarchies, wealth, class, or any other issues related to Marxist theory that can be found in the short story.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 939 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample