View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Where does "A Ship Without a Rudder" take place?

2. What kind of doctor did Susan say George was?

3. Who narrated "Odalisque"?

4. How did Carver's colleagues at Tuskagee describe Carver's accent?

5. What was the name of Carver's mother?

Short Essay Questions

1. In "A Ship Without a Rudder," how did Helen help Carver?

2. What is "Cercospora" about?

3. What did Carver say there was beauty in in "Clay"?

4. What confuses Carver so much in "Coincidence"?

5. In "Old Settlers' Reunion," what did the homesteader say was strange about Carver?

6. What was Carver asked to do in "Called"?

7. In "The Prayer of Miss Budd," what was Miss Budd praying for?

8. What did Carver discover in "Four a.m. in the Woods"?

9. In "Dawn Walk," why did Carver have such a hard time teaching the black students at Tuskagee?

10. How did Carver embarrass someone in "The Nervous System of the Beetle"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Human nature was a strong symbol and theme in this book. Where did this symbol appear, and what role did it play in the book?

Essay Topic 2

The pursuit of happiness was a common theme found in this book. What parts of the plot embodied this theme, and how was it presented?

Essay Topic 3

How did the author use poems to present this life story, and what are some of the good and bad sides to this unique form of narrative?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 573 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample