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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 idea is it that Huck and his friends don't fully understand [when forming their gang and making plans]?

2. Who suggests telling Uncle Harvey about Mary Jane and the mumps?

3. What illness is supposed to be the problem at the Proctors'?

4. Who is responsible for tending the door on the night of the special performance in Chapter 23?

5. In what way is Huck's time with his father spoiled?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Chapter 13, why does Huck again find it necessary to adopt a disguise?

2. What makes Huck ashamed of his humanity in Chapter 24?

3. How might Pappy's rejection of Huck's achievements at school be explained?

4. How does Huck discover that the local authorities are in pursuit of Jim?

5. Why does Huck consider moving the money from its hiding-place in Peter Wilks' coffin?

6. What makes the river a dangerous, as well as an idyllic, place to be?

7. What is the psychological card Colonel Sherburn plays so successfully during the confrontation?

8. In what way can the character of Pappy be seen purely as social commentary?

9. What is ironic about Jim claiming that a snakeskin brings bad luck?

10. In what sense does Jim reach his moral nadir when he considers buying his children from their owner?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

This novel shows readers a series of communities in which behavior borders on the barbaric and living conditions are frequently very basic. Do you agree? Discuss this statement, making detailed reference to the text in support of your own original thinking.

Essay Topic 2

Much of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is satirical. Identify two satirical targets in the novel and demonstrate your understanding of Twain's satirical technique in presenting his point of view. Write an essay of discussion. Remember that satirical targets can be individual people, groups of people, institutions, ideologies, attitudes.

Essay Topic 3

In view of the events and ideas in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, explain what could be meant by 'society's make-believe' (Chapter 3). How important is this concept to the novel as a whole?

(see the answer keys)

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