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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. Håkan discovers that Jarvis had been elected captain of the caravan after promising many people what reward?

2. Håkan mentally describes the sheriff as "the man with the" (165) what?

3. Asa tells Håkan that the two of them will eventually set sail from what city toward New York City?

4. After leaving the canons, Håkan decides to build his shelter in what location?

5. Håkan decides that the likeness of himself must have what explanation?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the significance of the wooden dresser Håkan finds in the desert?

2. What skills inherited from Lorimer does Håkan put to use at the scene of the wagon accident?

3. Describe an instance when a literary device is used in conjunction with the motif of violence.

4. What experience does Håkan have for the first time in the company of Asa?

5. Which of the five senses does Håkan most strongly associate with the presence of humans?

6. Why are the onlookers at the wagon accident at first unwilling to accept Håkan's help?

7. What act does Håkan describe as the kindest service anyone has ever done for him?

8. In what way is the sheriff's corruption the key to Håkan's freedom?

9. During the period of time when Håkan travels with the help of a burro and a horse, how does he view his goal destination of New York City?

10. Describe the way in which Håkan first meets Asa.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss Diaz’s messages about guilt and responsibility within the novel In the Distance. Focus especially on events such as Håkan’s change from thinking about Linus as his potential savior, to seeing himself as the one who needs to find Linus so that he can protect his older brother from the big bad world to which Håkan has been exposed.

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss Diaz’s use of metaphor, simile, imagery, and other literary devices as a means to send particular thematic messages within the narrative of In the Distance.

(see the answer keys)

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