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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. Of what kind of person does the prologue speak?

2. Who does Lee agree to accompany to church?

3. What is Indian Jenny reading?

4. What is the name of the strange animal?

5. What can Henry hear in the distance?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Jonas' note to Hank say?

2. How do Hank and Viv meet?

3. What are the three main characters, Viv, Lee and Hank troubled with at breakfast?

4. What does Draeger see through the binoculars?

5. Why is the town striking?

6. In what way is Viv described as different?

7. Describe the prologue that opens the first chapter.

8. In what way does the town talk differently about Viv?

9. Why is Lee angry with Hank in Chapter 5?

10. Why does the real estate man soap his house?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss whether you think this statement is true or false: "Sometimes a Great Notion supports individuality over the community." Use two examples from the novel to support your argument.

Essay Topic 2

Identify moments in the book that are dictated by the strike.

1) How far-reaching is the strike is on the local community? Does it affect areas outside the community as well?

2) Choose a character in the novel and find out how the strike affects and restricts that character's decisions.

Essay Topic 3

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

(see the answer keys)

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