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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's father's job inhibit?

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

3. How many siblings does Bruce have?

4. What does Prohibition forbid?

5. In addition to the person in #19, who else would Bruce like to see on this trip?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

7. What two items does the funeral director give Bruce before he leaves?

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

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

10. How did Bruce come to join the tennis club?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

Stegner is a master at dramatic devices. Choose an example of symbolism, metaphors, and irony. Briefly describe them and identify the technique which they embody.

Essay Topic 3

The theme of the passage of time will be an important one in the novel. How does the author begin to build this theme? Give examples of the passage of time throughout the book.

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This section contains 963 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample