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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. How is Monica's hair described in "Sentimental Education"?

2. What is empathy illustrated as in "Parents' Morning Epiphany"?

3. Where has the eldest boy gone, according to the narrator in the beginning of "The Dialectic"?

4. Where is Leon said to be from in "Sentimental Education"?

5. Where are the woman and her daughter sitting on the beach in "The Dialectic"?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the importance of Cassie's character in “Just Right”?

2. Describe the setting of "The Dialectic." How is the setting important to the story?

3. Discuss the character of Leon in “Sentimental Education." What does this character symbolize and why is he important to the plot?

4. Describe the character of Adele in “Miss Adele Amidst the Corsets.” What drives this character?

5. What relationship is illustrated between the narrator and the Hungarian painter in "Downtown"?

6. Describe the narrative style in “Parents' Morning Epiphany.” What makes this narrative style stand out from the other stories?

7. Describe the narrative style in “Sentimental Education." How is the story related, and why?

8. Describe the narrative style in "The Dialectic." Why has the author employed this style?

9. What national trial is described in "Downtown"? Why do you think the author alludes to this trial?

10. How is the motif of music demonstrated in “Words and Music”?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the character of Michael McRae in "Big Week." How old is Michael? What recent events have impacted his life? How does Michael cope with those events? What drives this character?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the character of Donovan in "Just Right." How old is Donovan? What are his main objectives in the story? What are the main conflicts that he faces? How do you relate to Donovan's character?

Essay Topic 3

Describe and discuss the plot structure of "Sentimental Education." What is the inciting incident in the story? Where is its climax? What information is related in the falling action and denouement of the story?

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