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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 is the name of the young boy who sits next to Julian's mother?

2. In the story "A View of the Woods," what color does Fortune think the woods turn one evening?

3. In the story "The Enduring Chill," what does Asbury leave for his mother to open when he dies?

4. In the story "A View of the Woods," why does Fortune say he would never hit Mary Fortune?

5. In "The Lame Shall Enter First," why does Sheppard give Rufus a key to his home?

Short Essay Questions

1. In "The Lame Shall Enter First," what does Norton do when looking through the telescope alone at night?

2. In "The Lame Shall Enter First," how is Rufus' view of the night sky different than Sheppard's?

3. In the story "Revelation," what does Mrs. Turpin say is the problem with farming cotton?

4. Describe Asbury's appearance In the story "The Enduring Chill."

5. In the story "The Enduring Chill," how does the author characterize the relationship between Mary George and Asbury?

6. In the story "The Comforts of Home," what does Thomas' mother do to help Star?

7. In the story "Revelation," what bothers Mrs. Turpin about the teenage girl?

8. In the story "The Enduring Chill," why does Father Finn say Asbury is ignorant?

9. In the story "Everything That Rises Must Converge," why is Julian so disgusted with his mother?

10. Describe the tractor accident in the story "Parker's Back."

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

"Everything That Rises Must Converge" is both the title of this collection of short stories and one of the component stories. In your essay:

1) explain what this phrase means as it relates to the novel as a whole;

2) explain how the phrase fits the entire novel;

3) demonstrate how the author develops this idea.

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

Essay Topic 2

Several of the stories in this collection feature mothers and sons. Select two of the stories with mother and son characters and:

1) describe the relationship between the mother and son;

2) explain how the two affect each other;

3) explain what you think the author is trying to say about mother-son relationships through these two stories.

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

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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