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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 does Doris tell Colonel Webb after he scolds her?

2. Who does Simon say broke a contract?

3. What city is growing?

4. What is the Nueces Strip known for?

5. Who does Simon kick out of the band?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Doris promise to Simon?

2. Where does Simon finally see Doris?

3. What animal does Simon shoot?

4. Why does Simon pretend to be a fruit vendor?

5. Why does the band travel to Banquete?

6. Who is Mr. Pressley?

7. Why does Simon buy a ring?

8. What do Simon's coworkers call him?

9. Who is Lester Pruitt?

10. Who gets killed with a bow?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay in which you explore Doris's understanding of America. What does Doris think of America and Americans? What about the nation is appealing to her, and what is not appealing? Use evidence from the text as support.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay in which you explore Simon's life as a traveling musician after the war. What valuable lessons does he learn from this experience? Use evidence from the text as support.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay in which you explore the theme of power. There are many instances throughout the novel that demonstrate a struggle for power, particularly in the case of the post-war South but also simply between individual characters. Who is afforded power throughout the novel? What does is take to acquire power, or to take it from others? Use evidence from the text as support.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 451 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample