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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 does Thurber say his grandmother and mother fear?

2. What does Thurber say he is fresh from at 1.15 am?

3. Why do people take time to start their cars as they try to escape?

4. What does Thurber say it is almost necessary to throw around?

5. What is the name of the town's doctor?

Short Essay Questions

1. How did the town react to their mistake about the burst dam?

2. How does Father react to Thurber coming into his room at 3 am?

3. How does Mother get the neighbor's attention?

4. Why does Mother oppose Father sleeping in the attic?

5. What is Father's relationship with his sons?

6. What do Grandmother and Mother fear about electricity?

7. How does Grandfather react when the police break into his room?

8. How could Grandfather caused the family to drown?

9. Who was General Meade?

10. What does Aunt write that she observed from the flood?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Identify the main themes of the story. In what way are these themes relevant to the period? How does the author use character and setting to express these themes?

Essay Topic 2

How does Thurber use real life situations to create humor? What serious statements does Thurber make within his humor?

Essay Topic 3

How did the Civil War change American society? How does Thurber express these changes?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 710 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample