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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 is the name of Dora's business?

2. What do the boys hit in Lee's car?

3. What are the ingredients of Eddie's special punch?

4. What does Doc tell Hazel about the answer to #43?

5. Where do Mack and the boys sleep?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Hazel.

2. Describe Lee Chong's business.

3. What is the irony of Hazel's name?

4. What is the significance of Lao Tze's philosophies in the story?

5. Describe the Bear Flag Restaurant.

6. Explain the behavior of the Chinaman.

7. How does Lee acquire another building?

8. What are Tong Wars?

9. How doe Mack's wits keep the boys out of trouble when they are approached by a large man with a pointer dog?

10. What is Gay's special talent?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Frankie is an ill-fated character in the book. What is Frankie's role in the story? Why does Steinbeck interject him into the plot? What does he come to represent for Doc, especially? Are you surprised by Frankie's ultimate fate?

Essay Topic 2

Describe Dora Flood. What is her role on Cannery Row? Why does Steinbeck say she is loved by the intelligent, the learned, and the kind? Why is she hated by "married spinsters," whose husbands are attracted to the whore house? Is Dora the classic whore with a heart of gold?

Essay Topic 3

Mack and the boys are forced to be very resourceful. Give some examples of behaviors exhibited by Mack and the boys that indicate they know how to get what they need in spite of their obvious lack of typical resources. Would you say Mack and the boys are creative? Or do they simply use people to avoid work? Do you think you could be friends with Mack and the boys? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 768 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample