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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. In the story "Everything That Rises Must Converge," what does Julian do when they get on the bus that embarrasses his mother?

2. In the story "Everything That Rises Must Converge," where does Julian say that "true culture" lies?

3. In the story "A View of the Woods," why does Fortune think Mary Fortune allows her father to beat her?

4. In the story "The Enduring Chill" who does Asbury say is his god?

5. In the story "Judgment Day," once Tanner is in NYC what does he wish he had done?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the black woman who sits next to Julian on the bus in the story "Everything That Rises Must Converge."

2. Describe the white-trash woman in the story "Revelation."

3. In the story "Greenleaf," why does Mrs. May say that O.T. & E.T. should have been her sons?

4. In the story "A View of the Woods," what angers Mary Fortune about her grandfather's plan to sell a lot of his land?

5. In the story "Parker's Back," what does Parker do between the two tattooing sessions necessary to complete his tattoo of Jesus?

6. Describe social class from Mrs. Turpin's perspective as presented in the story "Revelation."

7. In the story "The Comforts of Home," why is Thomas mournful that his father has died but "had not been able to endure him in life"?

8. In the story "A View of the Woods," why does Mary Fortune attack her grandfather for beating her but not her father?

9. In the story "The Comforts of Home," what bothers Thomas about Star?

10. Why is Julian left feeling "guilt and sorrow" at the end of the story "Everything That Rises Must Converge"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Several of the stories in this collection offer a commentary on charity. Select three of the stories in which this commentary is developed and:

1) explain what the stories say about charity;

2) demonstrate how the author develops this commentary in the story;

3) respond to the author's commentary--do you agree or disagree with her? Why?

Be sure to use specific examples from the stories to support your ideas.

Essay Topic 2

Select the story in the collection that you most identify with. Write an essay explaining:

1) why you selected this story;

2) what is significant to you about the story;

3) how the story reflects your personal beliefs.

Be sure to use specific examples from the stories to support your ideas.

Essay Topic 3

Imagine if one of the stories in this collection was missing from it. Choose one of the stories and "remove" it from the collection. Write an essay:

1) explaining the role that the story plays in the collection;

2) describing how the collection would be different without the story;

3) comment on the quality of the novel without the story--would it be better or worse? Why?

Be sure to use specific examples from the stories to support your ideas.

(see the answer keys)

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