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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. Bruce stops the car and gets out when he sees which venue?

2. Why is Bruce disappointed in his mother?

3. Why does one of Bruce's father's customers leave early?

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

5. Jack Bailey once made love to a girl __________________.

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

5. What prompts Bruce to think of Jack Bailey and what does he recall regarding Jack being a cad with women?

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

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

8. What happens when the girl's boyfriend realizes that Bruce has gotten fresh with her?

9. What prompts Bruce to recall a time he worked as a busboy at a restaurant on a lake.

10. What is the nature of Bruce's father's work?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Bruce spends some alone time throughout the novel to contemplate his life. What does he think about? What conclusions does he arrive at? Explain why he is in a contemplative mood at this point in time.

Essay Topic 2

The author uses some important instances of foreshadowing in the story. Explain what foreshadowing is and cite at least two examples making sure to explain what makes each an example of foreshadowing.

Essay Topic 3

Describe the overall setting for the novel. Why does Stegner use the setting he does? What is the time period of the story? How important is the time period to the attitudes and issues of the characters?

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This section contains 905 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample