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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 does Stoner realize with shock after he begins having out-of-body experiences regularly?

2. What word does the person helping Walker with his oral examination use when interrupting?

3. What does Stoner find unfavorable at work after Lomax takes over the English department?

4. What is Stoner doing when Katherine comes to visit him in Chapter XII?

5. What do Stoner and Katherine begin at the end of Chapter XII?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the nature of William's conversation with Lomax when he tries to mend their relationship over the Charles Walker situation?

2. How does William react when Finch asks him if he wanted to be the new head of the English department?

3. How is William and Katherine's week away in the Ozarks described?

4. How do William and Katherine begin their love affair with one another?

5. How does Lomax react after William refuses to pass Charles Walker?

6. How is William's first out-of-body experience described in the book?

7. How does William's teaching schedule change after Lomax is appointed chair of the English department?

8. How does William's relationship with Edith change after he begins having an affair with Katherine?

9. Why does William's relationship with Katherine end?

10. How does William begin questioning the value of his life in Chapter XI?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Examine the concept of the University that is portrayed in the book through William and his school friends. What are the different views of the University presented by William, David Masters, and Archer Sloane in the book and whose idea do you most agree with?

Essay Topic 2

Compare and contrast the characters Katherine and Edith in the book. How might William consider Katherine everything he wished for Edith to be and what is holding Edith back from being that person for him?

Essay Topic 3

The author often places emphasis on the concept of war in various parts of the book. Part 1.) Discuss Archer Sloane's views of the war and examine the impact it had on his psyche in the book. Part 2.) How does William's view of war change from World War I and World War II, and how does this mirror Sloane's feelings towards war? Part 3.) Considering this book was published during the Vietnam War, what message might the author be giving about war in his portrayal of it in the book?

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