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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 type of hat does Henri the Painter wear?

2. What do each of the boys carry to the frog hunt?

3. What takes over on Cannery Row?

4. Where does Henri the Painter live in actuality?

5. What does Mack sense about Doc?

Short Essay Questions

1. How do Mack and the boys react to ruining Doc's party?

2. How does Mack know that the captain's wife would disapprove of Mack and the boys?

3. What impact have Mack and the boys had on the captain?

4. What is ironic about Henri the Painter?

5. What does Steinbeck mean by "the hour of the pearl" in Chapter 14?

6. What is the significance of the flagpole sitter at Holman's Department Store?

7. What bet does Doc make with Frost on the Fourth of July?

8. How does Mack perceive Doc?

9. How does Mack extract the date of Doc's birthday?

10. What is the symbolism of the music in Doc's head when he finds the body of the beautiful dead woman in the water?

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

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

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)

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