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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 Selena's father do for a living?

2. Why is Mary Jane's husband sent to jail?

3. What do the boys do on sunny days?

4. What time of year is the story, Uncle Wiggily in Connecticut, set?

5. What does Eloise think all women tell their husbands?

Short Essay Questions

1. What makes the reader think that perhaps Eric is not allowed into the military because he is homosexual?

2. Why are Mary Jane and Eloise good friends for each other?

3. Who is the Chief?

4. Why is Mary Jane part of the story, Uncle Wiggly in Connecticut?

5. What happens to the Laughing Man?

6. Why can the reader sympathize with Eloise more than envy her?

7. Why is the reader uncertain whether Seymour is going to shoot himself, Muriel or both when he grabs the pistol out of the suitcase?

8. What is the issue with the book Seymour gives Muriel?

9. What do Walt and Jimmy Jimmereeno have in common in the story Uncle Wiggly in Connecticut?

10. What is Seymour hospitalized for?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare and contrast your favorite story from Nine Stories to your least favorite story. Explain what you like and dislike from each story. Use specific examples from the book.

Essay Topic 2

What is the strongest theme in Nine Stories? Why does it leave such a lasting impression? Use specific examples from the book to explain your opinion.

Essay Topic 3

Dialogue is used heavily throughout the book. Cite examples of the use of dialogue that are especially memorable. Why is dialogue so important to this short story collection? How does it help the reader? What does dialogue keep from the reader?

(see the answer keys)

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