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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. What is Owney a natural at?

2. When was the second lobster war?

3. What is the name of the boat waiting for the group at the dock in Chapter 7?

4. When does Toby think Fort Niles will be abandoned?

5. Why does Lanford remain in Fort Niles in Chapter 12?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happened to Stan's marriage to Mary during the lobster wars and immediately following the lobster war?

2. How have Rhonda's sons lived since Ira's death?

3. How did Stan and Angus become estranged for eight months?

4. What event is taking place in Chapter 10?

5. What do Stan and Ruth fight about in Chapter 12?

6. Describe the second, third and fourth lobster wars.

7. Describe the drive to Rockland in Chapter 7.

8. How does Ruth feel about her sexual experience with Owney in Chapter 11?

9. What does Toby believe is the future of Fort Niles?

10. What do Ruth and Owney do in Chapter 11?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the struggles faced by Ruth throughout the novel. How does she deal with these obstacles and how does she overcome them? What causes these problems for her?

Essay Topic 2

What is a coming of age story? Is "Stern Men" a coming of age story? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Analyze and interpret the protagonist of the novel. Ruth Thomas. What are her defining character traits? What is most important to her and why? What important events take place during her life?

(see the answer keys)

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