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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. When Tom Benecke tries shouting again for the final time, what word is used to describe the way in which he shouts?

2. In order to "save his life" (31), Tom Benecke takes what action when he believes he may faint?

3. Which of Tom Benecke's body parts first encounters "emptiness" (40) while sliding along the brick?

4. In what way must Tom Benecke look at the windows of the apartment building across the street?

5. What does Tom Benecke shout when he is trying to get the attention of passersby below?

Short Essay Questions

1. Tom Benecke decides in Paragraph 31 that he must not faint. What method does he employ to attain this aim?

2. When Tom Benecke detects movement inside his apartment, what is the source?

3. In what manner does Tom Benecke find the yellow sheet of paper?

4. What is the impetus for Tom Benecke's realization that he is still holding the yellow sheet of paper between his teeth?

5. What is Finney's purpose for allowing Tom Benecke's shouts for help to go unanswered?

6. Imagining what scene causes Tom Benecke to lose his feelings of calm as he looks through his apartment window?

7. What conclusion does Tom Benecke reach about the act of looking down?

8. Describe the way in which canine-involved language is used within the story and for what purpose.

9. What element of the movement inside Tom Benecke's apartment shocks him?

10. In what position does Tom Benecke end up when the window closes?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write a critical essay about Jack Finney's story "Contents of the Dead Man's Pocket" while using the critical power theory lens of Marxist theory. Use textual evidence to back up your strong, specific claim regarding the story's treatment of issues such as socioeconomic status, hierarchies, wealth, class, or any other issues related to Marxist theory that can be found in the story.

Essay Topic 2

What is the function of Clare’s character within "Contents of a Dead Man's Pocket"? Discuss the characterization methods used by Finney in depicting Clare and include in your discussion of the reasons that Finney portrays Clare in these particular ways.

Essay Topic 3

Analyze the interplay between the resolution of Jack Finney's story "Contents of the Dead Man's Pocket" and one of the story's main messages. How does Finney make connections between these elements, and how does their juxtaposition help Finney get across one main message of the story?

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This section contains 989 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample