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This test consists of 5 short answer questions and 1 (of 3) essay topics.
Short Answer Questions
1. From where are Ike and Bobby walking home?
2. What do the McPheron brothers say to Victoria's question?
3. What does Tom do when he leaves Maggie's house?
4. What do the boys tell Guthrie when he arrives home the night of their encounter with Russell?
5. With whom does Guthrie leave the bar?
Essay Topics
Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:
Essay Topic 1
Discuss the following:
1. What do you think are the characteristics of a successful novel?
2. Analyze and discuss Plainsong based upon the criteria you decide upon in #1 and judge if Plainsong is a successful novel. Explain your rationale with specific examples.
3. Do you think the fact that Plainsong is primarily for entertainment changes the criteria upon which its success should be judged? Explain.
Essay Topic 2
The boys arrive home and notice that their mother is still in her room. They wonder if she has been there all day. The boys go to the corral and herd the horses into the barn. They saddle the horses and ride west along the railroad tracks. Nine and ten year old boys Ike and Bobby seem to enjoy a great deal of independence compared to similar aged children who live in cities.
1. Discuss the differences that might be evident between raising children in a small town as opposed to a larger city. Use examples from the text to support your answer.
2. Do you think Ike and Bobby would have the same amount of independence if their mother was different? Why or why not? Use examples from the text to support your answer.
3. Discuss what you can discern so far of the character and personalities of Ike and Bobby. Use examples from the text to support your answer.
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?
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This section contains 438 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) |
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