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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 time do the three soldiers arrive at the drinking place in "Today Is Friday"?

2. How long had the two men been skiing at Silvretta in "An Alpine Idyll"?

3. What specific beverage are the soldiers drinking in "Today Is Friday"?

4. Where does the story "Today is Friday" take place?

5. In "Now I Lay Me," what would Nick use for bait when he ran out of worms?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the author’s attitude toward war?

2. What is the subtle suggestion about Indians and their behavior based on the short story “Ten Indians?”

3. What advice does William offer Mr. Turner in "A Pursuit Race"?

4. Overall, what is the author’s perspective on women and romantic relationships?

5. Why is Mr. Turner so concerned about William in "A Pursuit Race"?

6. Why does the third soldier in "Today is Friday" not want to drink with the others?

7. What is the publication that the narrator of “Banal Story” is reading while Manuel lays dying and what types of articles are in the publication?

8. Why is the title of "Today Is Friday" in present tense?

9. What do Nick and the Garner boys see on their trip back from the Fourth of July festivities in "Ten Indians"?

10. How does Nick respond when he hears about Prudence Mitchelle and Frank Washburn in "Ten Indians"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The setting of “Hills Like White Elephants” is a train. Write an essay exploring how the setting of a train contributes to the theme of change, transition, and/or loss.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay arguing which of the short stories contains the most literary merit. Describe the story and explain what literary aspects deem the story excellent.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay explaining the author’s development and use of the theme of loneliness and detachment from war. What suggestion does the author make about war and its repercussions? How does he use people to strengthen this theme?

(see the answer keys)

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