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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Norman say about dancing when that topic arises?
(a) He and Ethel used to win ballroom dance contests when younger.
(b) His religion forbids dancing.
(c) He regrets not ever taking Ethel dancing.
(d) He hates dancing since his gay son loves it.

2. How does Norman talk as he and Billy head to the boat?
(a) In slang like Billy.
(b) Singing a song about a wily catfish.
(c) In whispers so as not to scare the loons awake.
(d) He doesn't talk and tells Billy not to so as to not alert the fish.

3. What does Bill say he saw when he comes into the house?
(a) A pair of loons.
(b) A red-tailed hawk.
(c) A doe with her fawn.
(d) A bear.

4. How does Norman react to Chelsea's news?
(a) He likes it.
(b) He is irate.
(c) He can't hear her talking.
(d) He is indifferent.

5. How does Ethel respond to Norman's comment?
(a) That Norman had intimidated all of Chelsea's boyfriends.
(b) That Bill Ray does like to hunt.
(c) That she still thinks Norman's a handsome devil.
(d) That Chelsea would have been bored stiff at a life with Charlie.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Chelsea say about her attitude over the years?

2. What does Norman do after each fishing trip with Billy?

3. What does Norman say about his and Chelsea's relationship?

4. How does Norman take Ethel's suggestion?

5. Why does Ethel accompany Billy upstairs to start the bath water?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the two fishermen's interaction as they leave for the dock.

2. What does Norman tell Ethel she shouldn't do in front of Chelsea and her boyfriend and how does this brief exchange between Norman and Ethel demonstrate a difference in their personality?

3. Describe the first interaction between Ethel and Chelsea when they are alone.

4. What can be inferred by the fact that Norman calls Billy by the name Chelsea from time to time?

5. Describe Bill's appearance and Billy and Norman returning from downstairs and how does this give readers a sense who Bill is?

6. Referring back to your answer in question #25, venture a guess as to why Chelsea's boyfriends were timid around Norman.

7. How does the first interaction between Chelsea and her parents show the reader the relationship between Chelsea and each of her parents?

8. How does the interaction between Norman and Billy Ray in this introductory scene demonstrate the probability that their relationship will be different from the one that Chelsea experienced with her father when she was young?

9. The fact that Ethel twice suggests that Chelsea make amends with her father because he is old and will not live much longer seems to clearly be foreshadowing something. What do you think it foreshadows?

10. Describe the scene that occurs after Charlie arrives and what theme this vignette may illustrate.

(see the answer keys)

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