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. What emotional event does Larry experience?

2. Where do Larry and Sally live?

3. What is the state of Larry and Sally's marriage?

4. What happens when Sid and Larry are out walking?

5. Where is Sid and Charity's vacation house located?

Short Essay Questions

1. How are Sid and Charity described?

2. Explain how one of the novel's themes of rescue is important in Part 1: Chapter 10.

3. What good news does Larry receive at the beginning of Part 1: Chapter 8?

4. What does Charity learn about Larry and Sally as they talk?

5. Explain the different attitudes of Sid's and Larry's fathers regarding their sons' professions?

6. Explain how Sid and Sally seem to have similar character traits.

7. What housing do Larry and Sally find when they reach Wisconsin?

8. In addition to the enthusiastic welcome, what else strikes Larry and Sally about Sid and Charity Lang?

9. Explain the flashback the author uses to describe the beginning of Sid and Charity's courtship.

10. What happens that gives Larry a bad premonition?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Why does Larry describe the Langs and the Morgans as "two Adams and Eves?" What does he mean by that? Why does the author use this metaphor? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

Even though Larry is an accomplished writer and wonderful teacher, he still feels insecure in his university position. Explain why Larry feels that he does not measure up to the others in the department? Is it something they have done to him or do his insecurities stem from himself?

Essay Topic 3

The Adam and Eve metaphor continues when Sally gets ill. Why does Larry know that they are about to be "banished from paradise?" What is the outcome of Larry's premonition? Is he right or wrong? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 957 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample