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

Short Answer Questions

1. Where does Ed finally seek help when their canoe reaches civilization?

2. How does Ed get up the cliff?

3. What part of the river must the survivors get through before reaching civilization?

4. Which man shoots first when the shooter at the top of the cliff sees Ed preparing to shoot him?

5. What solves the problem of a rope that's too short for Ed to lower himself and the body of the man he shot down the cliff?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The story the men tell the authorities later is crucial to their not being arrested. Describe the story they originally came up with to explain Drew's disappearance and why they decide that story needs changing. Tell what happens that necessitates their changing that story and how this adds to conflict in the novel. What does Ed do after he realizes the story won't hold up? When Ed goes home, does he believe the truth will remain buried forever? Explain your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Which event do you think is the one single event that reveals the theme of the story? There are several possibilities, but you are only allowed to choose one. Tell why you think the event you choose is the single most revealing event. Tell how the story changes if that event is eliminated.

Essay Topic 3

Foreshadowing is used throughout the story. Give examples of foreshadowing in the story, and tell why James Dickey chose to use it there. Does he use the technique well? Explain your answer. Do you think the use of foreshadowing in the story gives away future events unnecessarily? Does it blunt the impact of those events? Explain your answer.

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This section contains 437 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample