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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 does a cobbler do?

2. What item does the woman win in a sweepstakes?

3. Where are the friends gathered when they talk about Teddy?

4. How many times does the man let the phone ring as a signal to his wife?

5. What is unusual about the woman in the neighborhood?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What happens to the babies in "The Parents?"

4. Discuss the findings of the parents in "The Sewers of Salt Lake."

5. Why does Emily feel invisible in "Offerings?" What does Emily do after she collects a large number of apologies?

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

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

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

9. In "The Cage," a man is trapped with no way to get free under his own power. Explain what happens that what it might mean.

10. What realization does the widow come to in regards to her missing husband?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

"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.

Essay Topic 2

In "The Stones," the old stones have chosen to forget about or cease to talk about their adventures as young stones. Discuss in detail the behavior of the old stones versus the young stones. How have the old stones changed? What is the opinion of the young stones regarding their elders? Compare the attitudes of the old and young stones to grandparents, parents and children. What are the similarities? Does the story help to change your outlook on the opinions and advice of your elders? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

A 70-year-old woman copes with living alone in "Widow." Examine the woman's grief and remorse due to the loss of her husband. Also examine the woman's new-found sense of freedom and how she copes with the emptiness of her house and lack of rules.

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This section contains 1,033 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample