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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 a major problem of Doc's job?

2. What does Mack sense about Doc?

3. What happens when the boys approach the frog pool?

4. How does Doc view Mack?

5. What is Holman's Department Store's best promotion ever?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How does Steinbeck show that Doc is one with nature?

3. How does Mack perceive Doc?

4. Why is Mack impressed by Dora?

5. For what event does Steinbeck use foreshadowing in this chapter?

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

7. What does Steinbeck believe about truth which is explained by Doc's walking trip during college?

8. What raises the ire of the normally even-tempered Doc while on the road?

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

10. Why does Mack initially reject the captain's offer of whiskey?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Steinbeck clearly likes to have fun with his readers. Name some examples of humor in this book. Which characters are especially prone to humorous behavior? Which are not? Why does Steinbeck use humor? Is he trying to balance somber stories, or does he just find life to be funny most of the time, at least in this story?

Essay Topic 2

Although the residents of Cannery Row live on the fringe of acceptable society, they take care of each other. What is the bond between the residents of Cannery Row that makes them want to help each other even when others won't? Is there a common denominator among the Cannery Row residents that they recognize themselves in each other? Explain some situations in the book where the Cannery Row residents exhibit humanity toward one another.

Essay Topic 3

Overall, the residents of Cannery Row become one big family. Describe the elements necessary to comprise a family. Explain some of the ways that the Cannery Row family is dysfunctional. Explain some of the ways that the Cannery Row family is quite normal.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 973 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample