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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. How do Mack and the boys furnish their new residence?

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

3. Who visits Doc as Doc is organizing his recently collected starfish?

4. What job does Doc assign to Mack?

5. What is the name of the old Chinaman who walks through Cannery Row every day?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Doc leery of Mack's request for money?

2. Describe Doc's physical appearance.

3. What is Gay's special talent?

4. Describe the building where Western Biological Laboratories is located.

5. Describe Doc's personal characteristics.

6. Explain the behavior of the Chinaman.

7. Describe Hazel.

8. Describe Dora Flood.

9. Describe the contents of Eddie's punch.

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the character of Lee Chong. How does Lee conduct his business and his life? Why is he such an important figure on Cannery Row? What does he represent to the other characters in the story?

Essay Topic 2

Steinbeck uses beautifully descriptive language in the book to help his readers see his world from his perspective. Without referring to the book, describe Cannery Row. Now, describe Monterey, using only your recall of Steinbeck's descriptions. How do you visualize the California coast now that you have read Steinbeck's descriptions?

Essay Topic 3

What does Doc discover about truth on his walking trip from Indiana to Florida during his college days? Why do you think people do not want to believe Doc's real reasons for walking? Why does Doc need to fabricate a story about his journey? Why does Steinbeck call truth a dangerous mistress?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 771 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample