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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 does Håkan lose "in a matter of days" (22)?

2. What is distinctive about the town of Clangston?

3. The prologue of In the Distance takes place in the same time frame as what other section of the novel?

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

5. By whose hand have the people been massacred when the convoy hears about them up ahead?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Discuss an instance when the theme of collectivism appears within the novel.

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

4. Describe the striking opening image of In the Distance.

5. How does the parting of Håkan and Lorimer come about?

6. Describe Håkan's family situation, as it is depicted once the body of the narrative begins.

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

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

9. Describe Håkan's experiences in Clangston.

10. How is the theme of family bonds demonstrated within Chapter 6?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Could In the Distance be classified as a coming-of-age novel? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Trace the characterization arc of Håkan’s character throughout the novel In the Distance. Discuss whether Håkan is a round or flat character and whether Håkan is a static or dynamic character.

Essay Topic 3

Sensory details are used frequently by Diaz in order to create vivid pictures of each character's progression through the narrative of In the Distance. Choose three scenes in which sensory details are heavily used and discuss how the sensory details used serve Diaz’s creation of vivid characters to populate the narrative.

(see the answer keys)

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