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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 surrounds Main Street?

2. Carol feels Dr. Kennicott is too what?

3. What color scarf does Carol knit for her husband?

4. In Chapter 12, what type of group does Carol start?

5. What modern convenience does Dr. Kennicott recommend for the Dutch?

Short Essay Questions

1. What "great change" happens to Carol in Chapter 19?

2. When Carol hosts a salon, what is the result?

3. What does Carol feel is missing in her marriage and how does she try to correct it?

4. What is the Village Virus and who describes it to Carol?

5. The novel Main Street declares what as the "great mystery about a human being?"

6. At what point does Carol make the decision that she has to stop being embarrassed about the gossip and make a place for herself in the town?

7. What is Hugh's reaction upon Carol's description of what lies ahead for them, outside of Gopher Prairie?

8. Once Carol has her child, how does her life change?

9. Why does Carol panic when she arrives in Gopher Prairie?

10. The townspeople often ask Carol is she "finds Gopher Prairie pleasing." Why is their interest ironic?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the character Carol and her expectations at the beginning of "Main Street."

Part 1) What are her expectations for her life?

Part 2) What are her expectations for other people?

Part 3) What are her expectations for the world?

Essay Topic 2

"Main Street" is set in a time period where women begin to have freedom and options other than marriage. Analyze the various women who appear in the first several chapters of "Main Street" and how they reflect the time period of the novel.

Essay Topic 3

Injustice is not uncommon in Gopher Prairie. Identify and analyze some of the injustices that are accepted and appear throughout the story.

(see the answer keys)

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