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. Where does John Tell always see some sneakers?

2. Whom does Joe marry?

3. Who/what does the person that Sheridan takes keep talking about?

4. In "The End of the Whole Mess," where do the brothers disperse a chemical to the population?

5. What are sneakers in "Sneakers" covered with?

Short Essay Questions

1. How do John Tell and Paul Jannings become friends in "Sneakers"?

2. In "Night Flier," whom does the reporter find responsible for the series of murders, and where does he find him?

3. Describe Paul Jannings.

4. In "The End of the Whole Mess," what is Bobby's plan to save the world?

5. What change does Miss Sidley see in her students, and what does she eventually do about it?

6. Describe the character of Miss Sidley.

7. How does Robinson execute his plan to kill Dolan?

8. Describe the finger in "The Moving Finger" and who sees it.

9. What is the story behind the sneakers in "Sneakers"?

10. How is Sheridan surprised in "Popsy"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In "Sneakers," John Tell finds out something startling about a man who has become a close friend to him. How does John Tell find out the truth about Paul Jannings? What is the truth? How does he react to the truth? Remember to answer each question with evidence from the story.

Essay Topic 2

In "Umney's Last Case," life and literature intersect when Umney finds out that he is simply a character in Samuel Landry's writing. Does this story change your perspective on what the creation of literature means? Why or why not? How does Landry demonstrate his control of Umney, and why does he take his place rather than live in reality? Remember to answer each question with evidence from the story.

Essay Topic 3

Although "Dedication" is a short story, there is no shortage of information or analysis that can be done. Focus on a specific character to answer the following questions: How does the character interact with others? How has he/she been influenced by other characters? Who influenced this character the most? Remember to answer each question with evidence from the story.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 704 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample