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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 does Harry know the girl's mother?

2. What does Harry wear when he walks down to the beach?

3. What is the name of the farm that Harry is looking for?

4. What is Charlie's position at Springer's Motors?

5. Where has Nelson been spending the summer?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Nelson want Harry to help him?

2. Describe Harry's circle of friends at the country club?

3. What does Rabbit remember about Summer Street?

4. What does Thelma think about the story Harry tells her about Nelson?

5. How does Nelson react to Campbell's presence?

6. What does Charlie say to Harry about Nelson?

7. What does Harry suggest to Nelson?

8. What does Harry think about Pru?

9. What do Harry and Nelson argue about?

10. What problem does Nelson have with Pru?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Identify the main themes of the story. In what way are these themes relevant to the time period? How does the author use character and setting to express these themes?

Essay Topic 2

Choose one of the following and examine it what expresses about 1980s society:

1) The gold coins.

2) The lot.

3) Sex.

Essay Topic 3

Write a 500-word essay revolving around one of the following statements:

1) John Updike celebrates American middle class life and presents Harry as having no conflict with being part of the middle classes, despite his working class background.

2) Even in middle-age Harry is emotionally immature and refuses to understand his son.

3) Nelson's relationship with Harry is too cliché to have any emotional impact on the reader.

(see the answer keys)

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