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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. What does Bruce do as the crowd grows as he waits after work one night?

2. What is Bruce Mason's profession?

3. What does Bruce need to complete his school project?

4. Why is Bruce's father angry at Bruce and his mother?

5. What does Bruce's father's job inhibit?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who is Nola and what is her role in Bruce's life?

2. What saddens Bruce as he walks the streets of Salt Lake City?

3. How does Bruce distinguish between Young Bruce and Mature Bruce?

4. Describe the humorous scenario of Bruce trying to outwit the elevator man in Nola's hotel.

5. Who are Holly and Nola and what prompts Bruce to think of them?

6. What is the symbolism of the cabbage that Bruce steals?

7. What happened after Bruce finally made it into Nola's room?

8. What does Bruce recall about the house once he is inside?

9. What two buildings does Bruce see that were important in his father's life?

10. What messy school project does Bruce recall and how did his father harass him?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

At the core of RECAPITULATION is the study of a father and son relationship. Define the relationship between Bruce and his father. Why was it so combative? What long-term effect did the relationship have on Bruce's life? How does Bruce come to terms with this primary relationship?

Essay Topic 2

Explain the concept of loneliness as it exhibits in the story. Which of the characters are lonely? Are they all lonely in some way? Explain the loneliness and the methods and attempts to overcome it.

Essay Topic 3

Stegner uses beautifully descriptive language in the book to help his readers see his world from his perspective. Without referring to the book, describe Salt Lake City using only your recall of Stegner's descriptions. How do you visualize the city of Salt Lake City now that you have read Stegner's RECAPITULATION?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,052 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample