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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. Who interrupts Bruce and Nola during the activity in #104?

2. What does Bruce recall about himself as a youth?

3. What garment is inside the box?

4. How was Nola during Bruce's home visit in January?

5. What religion did the Mulders practice?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What conclusion does Bruce arrive at regarding Nola's need for a man?

4. How does Bruce violate his instincts about bringing any friends into their home?

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

6. What factors must Bruce weigh in making decisions for his future?

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

8. What prompts Bruce to ask Nola to marry him?

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

10. What does Bruce recall about his brother, Chet's, life?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

Stegner uses beautifully descriptive language in the book to help his readers see his world from his perspective. Without referring to the book, describe Salt Lake City using only your recall of Stegner's descriptions. How do you visualize the city of Salt Lake City now that you have read Stegner's RECAPITULATION?

Essay Topic 3

Describe the setting at the beginning of the novel. Does the author paint a complete picture for the reader? What, if anything, is missing?

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