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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. Who is Tick's art teacher?

2. What kind of car does Jimmy Minty drive?

3. What is Janine wearing at the game?

4. Who does Miles hire to bus tables?

5. Who owns the establishment in #4?

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain the economic dynamics of the town as the story begins.

2. How is Miles trying to improve the economy of Empire Falls?

3. Explain the irony in Miles' not having driven a car before taking driver's education.

4. Explain how Miles is too good for his own good.

5. Explain why the poison ivy is a metaphor in Part 1, Chapter 8.

6. Explain why Janine is obsessed with the number sixty as she sits at the football game.

7. Describe Max and what he represents in the town of Empire Falls.

8. How is Tick different from most of the residents of Empire Falls?

9. How does Miles try to help John Voss.

10. How do you know that Janine is having second thoughts about marrying Walt?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain the ongoing conflict between Miles and Jimmy Minty. What is the source of the conflict? Why does it perpetuate?

Essay Topic 2

Why does Miles have a love-hate relationship with Max? Does Miles blame Max for his mother's indiscretions? Does Max hold any silent hostility toward Miles? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

Toward the end of the story, John Voss commits a hideous crime. What is the crime and what were his motivations? Given John's background, can he be held accountable for what he has done? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

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