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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. Where is Mrs. Stearn's family?

2. About what do Harold and Raymond joke?

3. Where is Ella Guthrie moving?

4. What does Mrs. Beckman tend to use when she talks?

5. Where does Victoria go after leaving her home?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Victoria end up going to Denver?

2. What does Crowder tell Russell Beckman's parents as to the reason they have been called to the office and what does Mrs. Beckman say? What does Russell say?

3. What does Guthrie tell Russell to do when Russell lies to Guthrie and what is the result of Guthrie's request?

4. How does Victoria's mother find out Victoria is pregnant and what is her response?

5. Where do the McPheron brothers take Victoria, what do they do, and what is her response to it?

6. What does Maggie do about Guthrie going to Judy's house and what is his response?

7. What happens when Guthrie goes to speak to Russell about what he did to Ike and Bobby?

8. Why does Raymond get angry at a bar?

9. What do Ike and Bobby do for Christmas and how do they feel about it?

10. What do Ike and Bobby do after their paper route on the morning their horse is sick? What happens to the horse and what does the veterinarian do?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

It is not clear why Maggie Jones thinks of the McPheron brothers when she is searching for a home for Victoria, but it is clear that she knows both brothers well since she speaks to them with a great deal of familiarity.

1. What would you infer about Maggie and the McPheron brothers' relationship from their conversation about Victoria? Use examples from the text to support your answer.

2. From what you've read of the McPheron brothers thus far do you think their home will be a good place for Victoria? Why or why not?

3. Putting yourself in the shoes of the McPheron brothers, discuss the pros and cons of taking Victoria into your home.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the following:

1. What is a plot? What are the most important elements of a plot and their definition? Do all novels have a plot? Why or why not?

2. Write a brief synopsis of the plot of Plainsong, identifying where the various elements of the plot occur (Exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution or denouement). Do you find it difficult to identify the plot? Why or why not? What about the various elements of the plot?

3. Identify the major sub-plots and their elements (They may not contain every element of a major plot). Do the sub-plots add to the main plot? Why or why not. Are the sub-plots interesting in and of themselves? Why or why not.

Essay Topic 3

There are a number of interesting questions raised by this book. Questions that most likely Haruf wanted the readers to consider and think through carefully. Discuss the following:

1. Name one idea/concept you think may have been a part of the author's agenda. Analyze that idea throughout the book and discuss Haruf's probable agenda concerning that idea.

2. Do you think writers who have an agenda for writing should point it out in a preface?

3. How often do you think fiction is written with a clear agenda in mind by the author?

(see the answer keys)

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