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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 word in "Sentimental Education" refers to the internal security force of the former German Democratic Republic?

2. How many children does the woman have that is the central figure in "The Dialectic"?

3. What does Donovan's teacher tell him not to call her in "Just Right"?

4. What word from "Just Right" means free of anything that darkens; completely clear?

5. On what museum's building is Donovan creating a school report in "Just Right"?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the couple do when they retire to their room in "The Lazy River"? Why is this important?

2. In what ways is setting important in “Miss Adele Amidst the Corsets”?

3. What is the significance of Café Loup in "Downtown"?

4. How would you describe Donovan's relationships with his parents in “Just Right”?

5. Who is the main character in “Sentimental Education"? How is she described?

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

7. What is the setting of “Just Right”? Why is this setting significant?

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

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

10. Describe the main characters in "The Dialectic." What are they doing in this short story?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe and discuss the different distinctions and demonstrations of mood in "Mood." What different settings are presented in the story? How do these settings evoke mood? What characters appear and how do they impact the mood demonstrated?

Essay Topic 2

Describe and discuss the three main characters in “Escape from New York.” Who were these individuals in real life? Why has the author chosen to depict them in this narrative? How does the author depict the characters?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the themes of race, racism, and gender expectations in the stories in Grand Union. Which stories focus on these themes primarily? How are the themes developed through setting? How are they developed through character and action?

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