View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Mature Bruce think of Nola now?

2. What religion did Nola's family practice?

3. Nola's family's business was ________________.

4. What does Bruce note about the second house he visits on this night?

5. Why was Chet's annulled marriage renewed?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Bruce feel that he is above Nola's family members?

2. How have Bruce's perceptions of Nola changed over the years?

3. What had Bruce thought about Nola's family members?

4. What could account for Bruce's high opinion of himself as a young man?

5. Why did Bruce and Nola have few intimate moments together?

6. What was the only life Bruce had ever envisioned for his future?

7. How does the author show Bruce's affections for his mother regarding his going to the prom?

8. What has Bruce's father done that solidifies Bruce's hatred for him?

9. What did Bruce do when it became apparent that Bailey was hitting on Nola?

10. What game did the couples play when Bruce and Nola accompanied Bailey and his girlfriend to a cabin one weekend?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

Project into the future ten years and write a brief synopsis for Bruce's life. Be sure to include emotional states as well as physical characteristics, geographic locations, work, hobbies, and socialization. Will he ever return to Salt Lake City?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 848 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample