View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What other girl does Bruce recall from his younger days?

2. Why is Bruce disappointed in his mother?

3. Why did Bruce panic regarding the girl in #11?

4. What was a taboo subject when Bruce was a teenager?

5. What else does the funeral director give to Bruce before he leaves?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How does the author show that Joe had been an important part of Bruce's life?

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

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

5. How does the episode of Bruce touching the girl's breast show what a simple time he lived in?

6. Why does Bruce hate his father for his own sake?

7. What does Bruce think about as he eats dinner in the hotel?

8. Who are the two friends that Bruce recalls as he reminisces about his childhood?

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

10. What does Bruce find amusing about the building the funeral home is housed in?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss Stegner's writing style. How is he different from other writers of his time? What are some of his characteristic writing techniques? Identify some examples of his classic style in RECAPITULATION.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Create a brief character study of Joe Mulder. What does he look like? What are his positive personality traits? What are some of his negative characteristics? What are his hopes and fears? What motivates him during his lifetime?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 989 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample