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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 substance does Håkan use to protect his skin from the sun?

2. James Brennan's mine is located nearby what body of water?

3. The novel's prologue depicts a group of men aboard a ship with what name?

4. A convoy from what location arrives in order to threaten the Brennans if they do not give up their mine and flee?

5. When Håkan regains consciousness after his period of feverish wandering, he finds himself in what state inside a covered wagon?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Håkan end up on a ship ultimately bound for California, when he had been headed for New York City?

2. What similarity between Native American and Swedish culture does Håkan identify?

3. On what type of food does Håkan survive after he escapes from the diseased woman's clutches?

4. What major character change does Håkan undergo against his will as a result of his association with Lorimer?

5. As Håkan's first summer away from his family comes to a close, what is said to be "all Håkan could think of" (40)?

6. Who is Lorimer and what are three of his characteristics?

7. Why is the extremely large man a topic of conversation for the other passengers on the ship, other than his size?

8. What coping mechanism does Håkan employ in order to get his fear under control and what is its level of effectiveness??

9. Describe a time in the narrative when a metaphor is used to indicate a particular mood.

10. Describe Håkan's experiences in Clangston.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How is the topic of isolation treated within In the Distance and how does its treatment relate to the novel's depicted messages?

Essay Topic 2

Analyze In the Distance from an Existential perspective. What elements of life does it suggest hold the most meaning and why?

Essay Topic 3

Look carefully at the passages of In the Distance that describe the close relationships between Håkan and his various mentors within the narrative. What is Diaz’s purpose for portraying three characters as different as James Brennan, Lorimer, and Asa in the roles of Håkan’s mentors?

(see the answer keys)

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