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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. What is Shelby’s last name in “The Retreat”?

2. What is the name of Edwin’s first wife in “A New-Wave Format”?

3. How many hours did it take Bill and Imogene to reach Nashville, according to the narrator in the beginning of “The Ocean”?

4. The narrator states in “The Retreat” that when Georgeann married Shelby, her mother warned her about the disadvantages of marrying what?

5. How old is Robert in “Lying Doggo”?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the narrator of “Residents and Transients” reveal in the beginning of the story? Who is the narrator?

2. How are Ishmael and its owner described in “The Ocean”?

3. How is Ruby’s relationship with Buddy described in “Third Monday”?

4. How is the interstate highway compared with the ocean in “The Ocean”?

5. Why does Nancy return to her childhood home in “Nancy Culpepper”?

6. How is Edwin’s character described in “A New-Wave Format”? Who do people think Edwin looks like?

7. How is Larry described in “Residents and Transients”? How did Mary meet Larry?

8. What can be interpreted of Joe McClain’s character through his actions in “Graveyard Day”?

9. How is Nancy’s wedding described in “Nancy Culpepper”?

10. What does Georgeann’s mother warn her of when Georgeann marries Shelby Pickett in “The Retreat”?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss narrative style of the story “Shiloh.” What is the person and tense of the narrative? Why do you think the author chose this narrative style? How does the author’s language style inform the reader about the characters?

Essay Topic 2

Examine the plot structure of “The Rookers.” Where in the story are the exposition, rising action, climax, and denouement located? How does the structure of the story compare with “Shiloh”? How does the plot connect to the other stories as a whole?

Essay Topic 3

Describe and analyze the character of Sandra in “Offerings.” How old is Sandra? Where is Sandra’s husband? What are Sandra’s central actions, objectives, and obstacles in the story?

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