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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 hits the old couple's car?

2. Where does the story take place?

3. Where are additional beverages kept?

4. What does Nick do as a sign of romantic love?

5. What happens at the end of the story?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Mel feeling as he describes the old man's love, who senses this, and what is his or her response?

2. What was the prognosis for the old couple over the course of their hospitalization?

3. What description does the author give of Laura?

4. Why does Terri hope that Marjorie will remarry or die?

5. What is the purpose of stating that each character is "from somewhere else"?

6. Describe the characters' response to Mel's revelation that real love does exist.

7. What does Mel hope will happen to his ex-wife and why?

8. Describe what Mel was doing when he was notified of the car accident.

9. What tone does Mel have as he recounts the story of the old couple and why?

10. How many views of the situation does the author give the reader? Do you think this is helpful or not? Why?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Symbolism is an important tool authors use to effectively communicate ideas and meanings to the reader. Identify one symbol Carver uses in his story and describe what it symbolizes. What purpose does it serve to have this particular symbol in the story?

Essay Topic 2

The title of a work is one of literature's most important aspects. Why is title thought to be so important to a work of literature? What did the author want to communicate to the reader through this particular title?

Essay Topic 3

Characterization refers to the description the author gives of the character's appearance, actions, and thoughts. Discuss the characterization of at least one of the main characters in this story. What could Carver have included that would have enriched the reader's experience of that particular character?

(see the answer keys)

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