View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What vice of Dr. Kennicott's does Carol despise?

2. Who has the Village Virus?

3. What surrounds Main Street?

4. Why does Carol call on the Perrys when Dr. Kennicott is out of town?

5. At the beginning of Chapter 9, how does Carol treat the townspeople?

Short Essay Questions

1. When Miles leaves town, what does he do and how does the town react?

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

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

4. When Carol hosts a party in Chapter 6, she creates a wild atmosphere. Describe the game the guests play that is unconventional.

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

6. When Carol visits Minneapolis, she is worried that the porter at the hotel thinks she is what? Why is this significant?

7. Through what club does Carol first feel like she might be able to make a difference in Gopher Prairie?

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

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

10. The library board shocks Carol. Why?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Ambition is a human characteristic that causes people to act. Chronicle the ambition of those who appear in "Main Street" and how that ambition or lack of it affects the lifestyle they live.

Essay Topic 2

Dr. Kennicott is an unassuming, country doctor who marries a woman who desires to live a life beyond Gopher Prairie. This is a struggle that affects him throughout the novel yet he continues to love his town and his family. Answering the following, create a profile of this seemingly simple man.

Part 1) Describe Dr. Kennicott.

Part 2) Discuss his relationship with Gopher Prairie and his wife.

Part 3) Analyze the philosophy Dr. Kennicott seems to live by throughout the novel.

Essay Topic 3

In order to avoid facing the dull reality of her life, Carol often relies on fantasy. Discuss the various fantasies Carol puts to use to make her life in Gopher Prairie bearable.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 703 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample