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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 was Bruce's good friend in college?

2. Who tried to prevent Bruce from entering the young woman's hotel room?

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

4. What messy substance does Bruce gather for the project?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What does Bruce learn about the phone number given to him by the funeral director?

3. What were Bruce's school years like?

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

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

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

7. How does the elevator episode show Bruce's feelings for Nola?

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

9. What was the importance of the tennis club in Bruce's life?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Create a brief character study of Mr. Mason. 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?

Essay Topic 3

How does Stegner use the literary technique of local color in RECAPITULATION? What elements comprise local color? Give some examples of the local color in Salt Lake City establishments, in the characters, and i the events.

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