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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. Why does Will's father say he feels sad?

2. What does the boy throw over Jim and Will?

3. What does Will think really worries his father?

4. What celebration is happening in a week's time?

5. Why are Will and Jim surprised by the carnival?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Mr. Halloway say about white hat and black hat books?

2. What does Mr. Halloway see in the shop window on the way back from work?

3. Why does Jim want to go back to the carousel?

4. What does the customer talk to Mr. Halloway about when he enters the bar?

5. How do Jim and Will react differently to watching the Theater?

6. How do Will and Jim react when the salesman tells them the storm will hit Jim's house?

7. How do Jim and Will react differently when Robert invites them to come to the carnival with him?

8. What does the reader learn about Jim in Chapter 9?

9. What does Mr. Halloway think is the difference between Jim and Will?

10. What is strange about the carousel?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Examine Bradbury's writing style. How would you describe his prose style? What kind of vocabulary does he use? Does he use any specific writing techniques? What meaning does Bradbury's style give to the story?

Essay Topic 2

Examine the novel's chronological setting.

1) What were the main concerns during the 1960s? How does Bradbury express these concerns?

2) In what ways do you think the novel's meaning would change if it was set in today's society?

Essay Topic 3

Choose one of the following and examine how the carnival tries to take advantage of his/her fears?

1) Jim Nightshade

2) Charles Halloway

3) Miss Foley

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 704 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample