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 did Frank get hired so quickly for the college teaching job?

2. What person does Vicki want to tell Frank about at her father's?

3. What is behind Frank's house?

4. Who is Lynette?

5. What does the carhop bring Frank to help him feel better after the crash on Easter evening?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Frank become obsessed with after Ralph's death and why does Frank become obsessed with them?

2. Where is Frank at when he is making a phone call after leaving Wade's house and what happens while he is making a call?

3. Upon returning from Detroit, detail the conversation and Frank's reaction when Walter tells Frank about his male encounter.

4. On the way home from Vicki's father's on Easter, who does Frank think of and what does he do about it?

5. Detail the phone call Frank receives while at Vicki's father's home on Easter.

6. Through this search for Walter's daughter in Florida, what has Walter given Frank?

7. What does Frank do once he sees a woman he believes he knows in a catalog?

8. Explain how Frank got a job offer to teach at Berkshire College.

9. Who is waiting for Frank outside the police station and what do they do?

10. Who is waiting for Frank when he returns home from Detroit? What does this person want?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There are several characters in this book who seem to have no direction in their life. Students will choose one of the following characters from the book; Frank, Walter, or X. Students will then write about how the book details or shows this character has no direction in their life and how they are lost in a quiet despair.

Essay Topic 2

Another theme of this book is hope. Frank is in search of it and has opportunities to give it throughout the story. List three characters from the story that give Frank hope and explain how and why they give Frank hope. Frank also has the opportunity to give hope. Name two characters that Frank has and / or could have given hope to and why he chose to give or not to give these characters hope.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 982 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample