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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 is Bruce's father's nickname?

2. How many siblings does Bruce have?

3. Who does Bruce stand behind in line after work one night?

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

5. Bruce thinks of himself as two different people--Young Bruce and _______________.

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. Why is Bruce disappointed in his mother?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Memories take on an almost human persona in this story. What is this literary technique called? Cite examples that support this position.

Essay Topic 3

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.

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