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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 old is Ginnie?

2. How many New York advertising men are staying at the same hotel as Muriel Glass?

3. Who talks to Dr. Sivetski about Seymour's condition?

4. Who is Mr. Weyinburg?

5. What does the Chief drive?

Short Essay Questions

1. What can the reader like about a character like Muriel?

2. What leads the reader to believe that tension is building throughout the story?

3. Why aren't there any men 'seen' in the story, Uncle Wiggily in Connecticut?

4. What is wrong physically with Ramona?

5. Why is the Chief so important to the boys?

6. Why doesn't the narrator list all of the Chief's attributes?

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

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

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

10. Why does Ginnie think Selena's brother looks goofy?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Salinger says he writes about young people so much because he wants to not only speak to them, but for them. Do you think he accomplishes that goal throughout Nine Stories? Why or why not? Use specific examples from the book.

Essay Topic 2

Lies and deception are used by several characters, including Arthur in Pretty Mouth and Green My Eyes and the narrator in De Daumier-Smith's Blue Period. Why does each character rely on lies and deceit? What do they hope to gain? What do they hope to avoid? What does it tell us about each character? What does each character have in common? What makes them different?

Essay Topic 3

New York and Connecticut are widely used throughout the book. What generalizations can be made about each city after having read Nine Stories? Do you want to go to either place? Do you live in either place? Does the story collection make you want to visit either place? Use examples from the book to explain your answers.

(see the answer keys)

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