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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. The man wonders how much money it would take to buy a/n _____.

2. One of the roommates thinks he should read about which war?

3. The segments on the morning show include all but which subject?

4. What is the name of the man's friend?

5. The girl receives so many ____ that she begins to collect them.

Short Essay Questions

1. In "Here's Another Ending," discuss the actions of the owners of the dog and how they try to trick a neighbor.

2. What is the thing that seems to bother the woman most in "The Haircut?"

3. "Here" describes a neighborhood in which everyone is friendly but does not socialize. Describe the neighborhood.

4. Girl: Discuss some of the items that the girl must learn to do in the home.

5. What causes the woman to be upset in "Water?" What does the woman do?

6. Vines: Discuss the man's main issue in "Vines" and what he says to his wife. How does the wife respond?

7. What does Henry Dobbins use as a way of protecting himself while at war? What happens that might change the talisman?

8. Discuss the interview with "The Last Parakeet."

9. Discuss the scene in the restaurant in "Deportation at Breakfast."

10. Discuss the life of the young girl in "The Restraints."

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Franky Gorky may be "The Nicest Kid in the Universe," but Franky is none too bright. Write two short stories about a character like Franky, or perhaps yourself, who receives three wishes. One story will reflect wise choices using the three wishes, and the second story will reflect making foolish choices. Would it be hard to decide what to do with the wishes?

Essay Topic 2

It is said that people have muscle memory from activities they have done before, even if it is something that occurred long ago. This brings about the old saying, "It's just like riding a bike." Discuss the dancing bears in "Brilliant Silence." Do you think muscle memory applies to the bears' descendants? Is it possible? Is there some genetic marker that causes the young bears to dance? Is it simply learned behavior? If it is learned behavior, how and why are the young bears affected by the full moon?

Essay Topic 3

"Bread" discusses the fact that while many of us eat bread, there are many people that are starving and could benefit from the bread we take for granted. Who decides who should eat and who should starve? Should people curb what they eat in order to provide food for people half way around the world? Is there an impact on those people decided by what we eat? How does supply and demand fit into the picture? Explain.

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