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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 is the name of the soldier in "Stockings?"

2. What is the name of the girlfriend in "The Burlington Northern, Southbound?"

3. How long had the couple been married in "The Haircut?"

4. Where is the daughter's location when she leaves to go to her father's house?

5. The boys cover the birds with which of the following:

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. 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.

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

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

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

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

8. In "Fear: Four Examples," explain the main source of the man's fear regarding his daughter.

9. Discuss Jane's attitude in "Jane." What does Jane do instead of follow her parents' orders?

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

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

"Ice Storm" is a telling story about boys that resist the urge to kill blinded pheasants during a particularly nasty winter storm. What happens to the animals during the storm? Why are the pheasants blinded? What about the boys makes them want to capture, harm or kill the birds? What causes the boys to rethink their motives and protect the birds from freezing to death? Examine a person's nature to protect versus kill.

Essay Topic 3

"Snapshot, Harvey Cedars: 1948" tells the tale of a woman's memories of her parents. The woman looks at a family photo fondly, remembering her dad's dreams of becoming a builder. The mother's body language is telling and unusual. Examine the mother's body language in the photo and the daughter's views. Do you think it is possible that the woman had some type of premonition or is the woman's body language a coincidence? If the woman had a premonition, do you think she was aware of it? Study the possibilities. Examine the daughter's thoughts regarding her father's suicide.

(see the answer keys)

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