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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 is Frank's last name?

2. Which word best describes the plot development in A Thrilling Life?

3. Which word best describes Charles?

4. What emotion does the narrator in A Thrilling Life feel for Frank's new girlfriend?

5. What does Evelyn want Albert to tell her about?

Short Essay Questions

1. In what way is exposure a theme in The Feather in the Toque?

2. Describe the relationship between the narrator and Frank in A Thrilling Life.

3. How is the swan a symbol in The Swan in the Garden?

4. Describe Evelyn.

5. Describe Albert.

6. Describe one theme that is common throughout all the stories in the book.

7. What elements of a typical story are missing from The Man Who Would Not Go Away?

8. Describe the point of view in A Thrilling Life.

9. The title, Ole Siche, means "Dry Island." Why is this relevant to the story?

10. Describe Charles and Meg.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How does Minot create characters that appear to be everyday people? What characteristics do Minot's characters possess that make them believable? Why is this important?

Essay Topic 2

Compare this collection of short stories to an outside piece of literature that you have read, a movie, or a song. What parallels exist between these two pieces? What are the differences between the two pieces?

Essay Topic 3

Why is Susan Minot vague on purpose? In what way does being vague allow the reader to imagine more than they would had all the details been provided to them? What elements in Minot's stories are vague?

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