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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. What does Cindy drop between the bleachers?

2. Where does Zack ask Tick to go?

3. Who does Miles find asleep at the counter of the Grill in Part 3, Chapter 18?

4. What did Miles do when he caught Janine in bed with Walt?

5. Who sometimes takes Cindy to the cemetery?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe how Zack Minty exhibits unsportsmanlike behavior and then manipulates the crowd at the football game.

2. Cite three examples of foreshadowing in Part 2, Chapter 12.

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

4. What are the three elements consuming Janine's life at this point in time?

5. Why does David keep pressuring Miles about a liquor license?

6. Explain how Jimmy Minty is a true product of his environment.

7. Explain the significance of the river as a metaphor for life in Empire Falls.

8. What revelation does Miles get when he examines an old photo in the newspaper?

9. Why does Janine call Miles The Human Rut?

10. What is the Exacto knife and why does it signify foreshadowing for the plot?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The river becomes almost a character itself. Create a character sketch of the river complete with positive and negative characteristics.

Essay Topic 2

Russo liberally uses humor in the story to both entertain and convey character. Cite at least two examples which you find especially humorous.

Essay Topic 3

What is the role of Mrs. Whiting in the town? What is her role toward the Roby family? Why is she especially benevolent to them given the fact that Grace Roby had had an affair with her husband many years ago?

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This section contains 1,128 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample