View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Tom not go along to empty the lobster pots?

2. What does Dick think would improve the chances of catching swordfish?

3. Who comes to Dick's house on his birthday?

4. What does Parker call Dick?

5. What bothers Dick about Elsie?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are the two viable options for funding for Dick's boat at this point?

2. How does Dick misread the message that Elsie sends when she tells him to leave her with the secret of their affair?

3. How does Elsie indicate that she is more interested in Dick and a relationship than he is regarding his not contacting her when he is out to sea longer than expected?

4. How does Dick think May will respond if she ever finds out about his affair with Elsie?

5. What is the Neptune?

6. Describe Dick's experience when he goes to Miss Perry's house to thank her for the loan.

7. What is revealed about Dick's leadership skills on the documentary trip?

8. How does Dick feel about the fantasies that Elsie finds erotic?

9. Compare and contrast Dick and Elsie's positions regarding legal activities.

10. How does the author show the vulnerable side of Elsie's normally strong personality?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Striving takes on an almost human persona in this story. What is this literary technique called? Cite examples that support this position.

Essay Topic 2

Casey uses more than one instance of irony in the book. Cite at least two examples you can identify in the novel and note why they are examples of irony.

Essay Topic 3

Describe the Neptune. What is its role in the community? Is it typical of establishments in small towns in America?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,093 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample