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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 June say before October's story begins?

2. What do the two of them do?

3. What is Mr. Alice's main interest outside of business?

4. When the writer does try writing fantasy, what is Amelia doing now?

5. Why is the young writer upset?

Short Essay Questions

1. In what ways could 'Good Boys Deserve Favors' be considered a coming of age story?

2. Why does the narrator see a Haitian coffee girl at the end of the story?

3. Describe how the detective solves the mystery in 'A Study in Emerald.'

4. Describe the character of Mr. Alice.

5. Why does the writer in 'Forbidden Brides...' enjoy writing about Amelia making toast?

6. In your opinion, what was Miss Finch's wish? Was it granted by the cabinet?

7. Why do you think the double bass allows him to play beautiful music this one time?

8. Is Amelia a sympathetic character?

9. Who tells the story about the playhouse in 'Closing Time,' and what evidence is there that this person is the storyteller?

10. Describe the steps that lead up to the narrator taking the professor's identity.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How many of the stories and poems in this collection are horror stories? Why do you consider them to be horror stories? How has the author used language, structure, pace, and symbolism to create a scary or creepy atmosphere? Are these conventional horror stories or something a bit different?

Essay Topic 2

Do you enjoy Neil Gaiman's writing? Justify your answer by using examples from the text. Include in your discussion the author's use of language, meaning, characterization, symbolism, and metaphor. Use at least three stories and poems from this collection in your response.

Essay Topic 3

What is the symbolism of the gargoyle in the story 'How Do You Think it Feels?' Is it successful in achieving its intended meaning? Is it a real living monster, an inanimate piece of plasticine, or a metaphor for something in the story? Can it be all three?

(see the answer keys)

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