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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 Manfred lose at?

2. Who has been bitten by a stink bug?

3. Who does Rod feel the need to please and conducts time-delayed blasts in the mine?

4. What is Rod offered in exchange for his loyalty by the host?

5. Who does Rod pull out of the stopes while he does his investigation?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Kowalski admit to doing and what does Rod do in response?

2. What does the Detective Inspector want Rod's help with?

3. Describe Johnny and Constantine's altercation at the hotel where he goes dancing.

4. Why does Frank die in Chapter 6?

5. What is the secret deal that Manfred conducts on the phone?

6. What makes Manfred jealous of Rod?

7. How does Jose make a profit from gold?

8. How does Rod's arms break?

9. Describe how Joseph has hidden gold from his employer.

10. How does the Inspector begin to put together the real story of Jose's death?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Travel through mining areas appears throughout "Gold Mine". Who travels? Who stays behind? In what ways are characters motivated by their ability to travel? What is their effect on other characters and their lives? Do these characters change over time? Why or why not? Describe.

Essay Topic 2

Smith employs simple, minimalist, highly controlled, meticulous yet effective language contrasted with complex language at times to convey powerful imagery and ideas. Both styles employ powerful symbolism. Choose an example of symbolism, briefly describe it, and identify the technique which it embodies.

Essay Topic 3

Violence is a recurring theme in "Gold Mine". Who is violent and in what way? Describe some of the some of the ways violence is expressed. Does violence result in positive or negative consequences for the main characters? Discuss.

(see the answer keys)

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