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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 identifies the accent of the person in #49 as being from __________________.

2. What does Nola always need in her life?

3. What does Bruce do before going upstairs at the funeral home?

4. What type of business does Bruce's father run out of their home?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What were Bruce's school years like?

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

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

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

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

7. Why does Bruce hate his father for his mother's sake?

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

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

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

Create a brief character study of Mrs. Mason. What does she look like? What are her positive personality traits? What are some of her negative characteristics? What are her hopes and fears? What motivates her during her lifetime?

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

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.

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This section contains 865 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample