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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. Dick asks Parker if he had sex with Marie because _________________________.

2. Where does the note tell Dick to go?

3. What does May tell Dick he should fix first after the hurricane?

4. With what does Dick offer to help Elsie?

5. How does Dick say he learned about Elsie's pregnancy?

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain how the hurricane has changed Dick and his feelings about his misplaced priorities.

2. What is May's response to Dick when he tells her about his affair with Elsie?

3. What is the irony of the value of the books Miss Perry gave to Dick and his sons?

4. What news does Dick learn when he overhears a conversation between Elsie and Mary?

5. What does Eddie note about Dick's mood even though the boat is finished and ready for launching?

6. What news does Elsie tell Dick about her life and how things are surprisingly working out to her benefit?

7. How does Elsie's refusal to have sex again with Dick signal an attempt to help him break a destructive pattern?

8. What happens in Chapter 44 that exacerbates Dick's gloomy feelings when he is on shore?

9. What is the symbolism of the spartina and the Wedding Cake that are still intact after the hurricane?

10. Why does May ask Dick for $100?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain the significance of the book's title. What did the author mean by calling the novel SPARTINA? Cite an example to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Casey uses humor in the story to both entertain and convey character. Cite at least two examples which you find especially humorous.

Essay Topic 3

Project into the future ten years and write a brief synopsis for the lives of Dick, May, Elsie and Parker. Be sure to include emotional states as well as physical characteristics, geographic locations, work, hobbies, socialization, etc.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 950 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample