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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. In what mood does Frank find Vicki when he returns to the hotel after interviewing the football player?

2. Where does "The Sportswriter" by Richard Ford open?

3. What type of accident was the football player Frank is interviewing involved in?

4. What did Frank do more of on the trip than anything else before leaving with Vicki to Detroit?

5. What does Frank have trouble doing at the hotel?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do Frank and Vicki do after landing in Detroit?

2. Why does Frank hope Vicki does not come back while his doctor is around at the airport?

3. Who is Walter?

4. What phone calls does Frank make once he and Vicki get to the hotel?

5. What was the key to Frank's divorce?

6. Does Frank think X can go on with her life without getting married?

7. Why do Frank and Vicki decide to leave Detroit early?

8. How does Frank's meeting with the football player in Detroit go? Why?

9. Detail Frank's writing career.

10. What is normal and mundane to Frank?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In Frank's depression and despair, he finds himself very vulnerable of people and things around him, thus making him jealous easily. Give two specific examples from the book of who Frank becomes jealous of. Why is he jealous of these people, and how does he handle the jealousy?

Essay Topic 2

Throughout "The Sportswriter," there are many friendships that are established. Pick one friendship that is established and explain what characteristics makes this friendship specifically between the two friends mentioned. Students can choose from Vicki and Frank, Selma and Frank, X's father-in-law and Frank, Walter and Frank or any pair of characters from the story.

Essay Topic 3

After Ralph died, Frank had many affairs and socialized with other women. What is the irony of Frank and X's divorce? Give specific details and examples to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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