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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. Who does Harry say belongs to the new circle in his life?

2. Who does Nelson say he wants to die?

3. What kind of car does Jamie Nunemacher buy?

4. What exercise has Harry started doing?

5. What does Harry say they should have taken up years ago?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Harry not talk to the Murketts and the Fosnachts at the wedding reception?

2. What has happened to Janice's Maverick?

3. What does Ma Springer call the family into the living room to talk about?

4. What do Nelson and Pru talk about in Ma Springer's big Chrysler?

5. What happens when Harry tries to visit Ruth again in chapter 3?

6. Why is Harry thankful that Janice does not talk about Cindy?

7. How does Pru injure herself?

8. How does Nelson react to his parents buying their own house?

9. How does Harry react when he sees Charlie back at work?

10. How does Bessie react to Harry and Janice buying their own house?

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

Look at the structure of the novel.

-How does the author use character and dialogue to drive the narrative?

-Discuss elements of the narrative structure; Exposition, conflict, complication, climax, resolution and conclusion. Do all the elements make for a logical and linear story? -How does the story's structure express the novel's themes?

Essay Topic 3

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

1) The gold coins.

2) The lot.

3) Sex.

(see the answer keys)

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