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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 woman teaches her daughter how to ___ without getting hit.

2. One customer leaves ____ as a tip.

3. What word does the man use to describe the drama regarding the hero and heroine of the story?

4. What is the name of the soldier in "Stockings?"

5. In "The Parents," where do the parents take their babies?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What holiday tragedy happens to Franky Gorky in "The Nicest Kid in the Universe?"

3. Who is "The Philosophical Cobbler?" What is his main concern and goal?

4. The author of "Bread" questions if anyone should eat bread. Why?

5. Girl: The mother gives the daughter several references about becoming what?

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

7. Discuss the interruptions faced by the man in "The Continuity of Parks."

8. In "Corners," what are the sisters doing at the beginning of the story? What upsets Jessie so much that she runs outside?

9. What is the most interesting thing about the people at "108 John Street?"

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In "Grace Period," a man spots a bright light on the horizon. The man can feel the earth rumble as the light gets brighter. No one answers the phone. Discuss what you think is happening. Do you think the bright light is a UFO? Do you think the man is frightened or hallucinating? Compare the story to others that begin the same way and end up with alien abduction. Also watch and review television shows that portray alien abductions.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

"Flash Fiction: Very Short Stories by James Thomas" contains many stories by many different authors. The only criterion is that the story must meet a certain word count, typically around 750 but no more than 1,000. Examine any common threads that are found within the collection. Are there any similar trains of thought, style or format? Review each story with those things in mind and make a list of connecting ties.

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