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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. On what board does Rudolph serve?

2. What business does Rudolph decide to buy?

3. Where does Rudolph take Billy to stay?

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

5. Where does Gretchen go to visit the opening of Rudolph's new strip mall?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. How does Rudolph' help for Professor Denton come full circle from many years ago?

4. What happens with Gretchen and the young black man that makes Gretchen change her mind about continuing her studies?

5. What are Gretchen's legal battles related to the death of her husband?

6. What are Gretchen's concerns for Billy at this point in time?

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

8. What are the two main reasons Thomas' reconnection with his mother is so important?

9. What are the significant changes visible in Mary now?

10. What do the boat charters represent as positive changes in Thomas' life?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is the significance of the book's title? Who do you think Shaw had in mind for the rich man? Who did he consider to be the poor man? Remember that financial status is not the only measure of a man's worth.

Essay Topic 2

Explain the author's use of point of view in this story. Identify the point of view used and explain why this book qualifies. How would the book have changed if the author had selected a different point of view?

Essay Topic 3

Alcohol abuse seems to be an unnamed character in the book. How pervasive is the abuse? Why does it have such a prevalent place in the characters' lives? How does it affect the abusers? How does it affect those impacted by the abusers? Explain how an inanimate object or characteristic can be a character.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 985 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample