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. Mr. Fortune makes a deal with _____________ to buy some of his property.

2. What is a recurrent topic between Julian and his mother?

3. What kind of equipment is involved in Parker's accident?

4. What major life event has Julian just experienced?

5. Where does the Fortune family live?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the premise of THE VIOLENT BEAR IT AWAY?

2. Explain the irony of Mr. Fortune's discipline of Mary.

3. Why does Francis have such difficulty living with Mason?

4. How does Parker's wife react when she hears about his new tattoo and his accident at work?

5. What is one of Mason's most controversial decisions?

6. Why is the schoolteacher so committed to saving Francis and what happens to him as a result?

7. How does Mason die and who buries him?

8. Describe Mrs. Turpin's demeanor.

9. What is the premise of PARKER'S BACK?

10. How are Julian and his mother at odds over integration?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Select three characters from any of the stories and project into the future ten years and write a brief synopsis for their lives. Be sure to include emotional states as well as physical characteristics, geographic locations, work, hobbies, socialization, etc.

Essay Topic 2

Create a brief character study of Haze Motes. What does he look like? What are his positive personality traits? What are some of his negative characteristics? What are his hopes and fears? What motivates him--if anything--at this point in his life?

Essay Topic 3

The author uses more than one iteration on the theme of loss. Identify at least two themes about loss in the stories. Then cite an example to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 907 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample