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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. How is Dr. Kennicott's office described?

2. At the beginning of Chapter 8, Carol begs to learn about what?

3. Who arrives in town the same time that Carol does?

4. How long does it take Carol to walk the town?

5. What is the name of the in-crowd in Gopher Prairie?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Carol's eyes, how does the country compare to Main Street, and when does she determine this?

2. What is Carol's family background and how does this affect her financial situation?

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

4. What is Carol worried about when she leaves from first private talk with Guy Pollock?

5. Describe Carol's time in Washington.

6. Describe Main Street in Gopher Prairie.

7. Carol and the women at the bridge game argue about the maids' wages. Why?

8. How does the Christmas holiday affect Carol?

9. What is the reaction of the town when Bea and Olaf die?

10. In Chapter 24, Carol has strong opinions on how she is treated by others. How does she respond to these emotions?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

"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 2

As an orphan and an outsider to Gopher Prairie, it appears as though Carol's life follows a path toward loneliness.

Part 1) How does the idea of loneliness appear in the novel?

Part 2) How does Carol react to loneliness?

Part 3) Does Carol run from loneliness or invite it?

Essay Topic 3

Carol's marriage to Dr. Kennicott and her move to Gopher Prairie is partly due to his suggestion that Carol can reform the town. Discuss the various ways Carol tries to live up this suggestion and whether her actions get results.

(see the answer keys)

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