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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. How does Willard kill himself?

2. What is the name of the boy Hank has a fight with at school?

3. What does Joe-Ben plan to do at the town hall?

4. What does Hank drink at the Snag?

5. Lee moves into _________.

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Willard's phone call to Hank.

2. Why does Lee refuse to get out of bed?

3. Why is Jenny tossing shells onto her bed?

4. Describe Henry's time in the town.

5. What is different about the novel's point of view?

6. How do Evenwrite and Draeger get to the Stamper's house?

7. What does Joe-Ben think about as he positions himself to eavesdrop on the town meeting?

8. Summarize the novel

9. Why is Evenwrite worried about the rain?

10. Summarize the prologue that opens Chapter 11.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Kesey grew up in Oregon, adhering to the rule that writers should always write about what they know. Do you think it is obvious that Kesey knows his subject? What difference do you think it makes to the story? Are there any moments where you think Kesey does not portray a character or setting so well? What effect does it have on the story?

Essay Topic 2

1) What is the premise of Sometime a Great Notion? Does Kesey keep to this premise throughout?

2) What would happen if he did not keep to the story's premise? Why do stories need a premise?

Essay Topic 3

Examine the following statement: "The different points of view Kesey uses in the novel make it inaccessible to the average reader." Using two examples from the book, argue either for or against the statement.

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