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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 is the nickname for the rectory at St. Catherine's Church?

2. Who is Janine soon to marry?

3. Where does Zack ask Tick to go?

4. What does Janine call Miles?

5. Who is Janine?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How does Miles try to help John Voss.

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

4. What does Father Mark represent in the story?

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

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

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

8. What is the setting for the story?

9. What inappropriate behavior does Jimmy reveal that makes Miles like him even less?

10. Why does Janine call Miles The Human Rut?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Several scenes in the book take place in Martha's Vineyard. Explain the significance of this location to the characters. What does it represent in the story?

Essay Topic 2

The author uses several instances of foreshadowing in the story. Explain what foreshadowing is and cite at least two examples making sure to explain what makes each an instance of foreshadowing.

Essay Topic 3

On the Martha's Vineyard trip, Miles becomes disenchanted with his mother's behavior with Charlie Mayne and he consequently loses his baseball to the ocean and leaves his ball glove at the hotel. What do these losses of his baseball equipment really represent?

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