View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Gretchen now has no husband and no ______________.
(a) Home
(b) Assets
(c) Love
(d) Hope

2. What is the message that Rudolph gets while in Europe?
(a) Mr. Calderwood has died
(b) Thomas wants to see him
(c) Mary is dying
(d) Gretchen has remarried

3. Why is Thomas intent on making a living at sea?
(a) He has always loved the water
(b) He wants to become a shipping magnate
(c) He is hiding from the mob
(d) He wants to build ships

4. What does Mr. Calderwood accuse Rudolph of?
(a) Seducing his daughter
(b) Theft
(c) Sexual harrassment at the store
(d) Discriminatory hiring practices

5. Who kills Thomas?
(a) Billy
(b) Rudolph
(c) Wesley
(d) A pimp

Short Answer Questions

1. Which of the following is not one of the reasons Billy gives for his current unhappiness?

2. What does Thomas request that Rudolph find for him?

3. Where does Thomas' manager advise him to get a job?

4. What do Rudolph and Jean name their daughter?

5. Who is the only person who remembers Gretchen's birthday?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the sad irony of Mary's life right now?

2. How does Thomas' protection of his friend, Dwyer, in a fight ultimately have profound negative impact on Thomas' life?

3. Explain the symbolism of Rudolph's meeting his high school French teacher.

4. Explain how Thomas' selflessness in protecting Jean shows him to be the most fully evolved character in the book.

5. How does the author fill in plot and character development between chapters?

6. How has Rudolph reached the pinnacle of success in every aspect of his life?

7. How does Thomas reconnect with his son?

8. What is the significance of Dwyer in Thomas' life?

9. What is the symbolism of the name Thomas chooses for his boat?

10. Explain how Thomas' original return of the $5000 has resulted in a positive way for him after all.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 925 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample