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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. Whose name was daily in the papers?

2. Under what kind of tree did Conrad Siever work?

3. What party did John Cabanis abandon?

4. Where was Charlie French hurt by a toy pistol?

5. With whose beliefs did Jefferson Howard fight valiantly?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is common about the residents in the first section?

2. Explain the relationship between Roscoe and Mrs. Purkapile.

3. Did Searcy Foote feel justified in killing his aunt with chloroform? Why?

4. What does John Cabanis say did NOT contribute to his decision to leave the conservative party to lead the liberal party?

5. How is Emily Sparks different from the other residents at the beginning of the "Spoon River Anthology"? How does she fit in with the other residents?

6. Some of the stories of the residents relate to each other, such as the stories of Hamilton Greene and Elsa Wertman. Why does Masters do this?

7. Why can Nicholas Bindle be considered foolish? Why can he be considered heroic?

8. Give three examples of one-life minded souls, and explain how each is one-life minded.

9. Explain the relationship between Mrs. George Reece and Alexander Pope.

10. What is a common theme in the residents of the section beginning with John Cabanis and ending with Searcy Foote? Give an example.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What role does faith play in the lives of Spoon River's residents?

Essay Topic 2

What is the tone of "Spoon River Anthology"? How do you know?

Essay Topic 3

Explain the importance of Masters's use of point of view in "Spoon River Anthology".

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