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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 type of bird do the children see that is stuck?

2. How does Sissie describe her father's build?

3. Which of the following is strewn across the island?

4. Where is Sissie in the second summer?

5. Describe the relationship among the children in the first summer the reader sees at the tavern.

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the hierarchy of the sexes present in the story.

2. According to Sissie, what would her father think about Jesse and why?

3. How does Sissie's mother's appearance make her angry?

4. Why is Sissie horrified when she sees the bird stuck in the scum on the water?

5. Describe Sissie's physical retreat in Part 3.

6. What makes Sissie vulnerable?

7. Describe Sissie, the narrator, as she is first introduced.

8. How does the reader know that time has passed between Part 2 and Part 3?

9. What does Sissie claim anchors her to the earth?

10. Is Sissie an innocent character in the beginning of the story? Why or why not?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analyze the use of three different literary devices as they are used in "Four Summers". How are they used? What is their purpose?

Essay Topic 2

How does Joyce Carol Oates use dialogue to convey parts of the story? Is dialogue vital to the story? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Explain Sissie's family dynamic: How does she feel about her parents and siblings? how does this change over time? why do you think this changes? what predictions can you make for the way Sissie's family dynamic will change?

(see the answer keys)

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