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This test consists of 5 short answer questions and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What breaks Rod's arms in Chapter 69?

2. Who dances the twist with Johnny?

3. What is the thief's name that Big King learns about?

4. Who goes duck hunting?

5. Where do Rod and Terry celebrate his promotion?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is the significance of the title "Gold Mine"? How does this relate to the protagonist Rod and in particular to the main theme of the book? What did the author mean by calling the book "Gold Mine"? Cite an example to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

The role of women in "Gold Mine" takes on very different forms. For example, Teresa, Manfred's wife is quite different from Joy or Hettie. Describe.

Essay Topic 3

Power in society is a prevailing theme of "Gold Mine". Smith frequently refers to this theme, painting the picture of two worlds that are struggling for power and survival. How does power relate to having gold or wealth? Which characters appear honest and which appear corrupt and why? Which characters appear to rise above corruption even if they were initially vulnerable to it? What is your opinion of the society that Smith describes? Explain.

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This section contains 223 words (approx. 1 page at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample