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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 is the owner of the restaurant?

2. Why is Ralph especially glad to get the movie set job?

3. Why does Ralph give the gift to the train conductor?

4. What does Ralph eventually buy?

5. What do the people in #34 promise?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Ralph's opinion of the mechanic when Ralph returns to ask a few questions about the car?

2. How does Ralph spend his first day on the movie set?

3. Why was Ralph not able to serve in the military during World War I?

4. What job is Ted having a hard time filling on the movie set and how much could Ralph earn is he were willing to do it?

5. What does Ralph teach himself to do at the movie set?

6. Why does Ralph give the train conductor a gift and what gift does he give?

7. What advice does Mr. Larsen eventually give Lonnie regarding the car?

8. What is the important thing that Ted shows Ralph as he gives him a tour of the movie set?

9. What are Ralph's plans for employment when he reaches Arizona and why does he have a hard time finding a job?

10. What are Ralph's two main concerns when he is unable to secure a job after a week?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare and contrast Ralph and Lonnie. Both young men are trying to carve out new lives but seem to have different methods and goals. How are Ralph and Lonnie alike? How are they different? On what things do they agree? What is the thing that threatens to separate them? What other similarities and dissimilarities are there between the two characters?

Essay Topic 2

Despite the extremely trying times in this post-World War I era, the people who Ralph meets are, for the most part, very generous and supportive of each other. Cite at least three examples that show this strength of character and generosity.

Essay Topic 3

What is the significance of the book's title? What are some other possible titles for the book? List at least five and cite your reasons for each.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 872 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample