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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. Why does Mel hope his ex-wife will get injured?

2. Which character contends that abusive behavior is, in fact, love?

3. Who shakes the empty beverage container at Mel?

4. Who says they know what love really is and has an example to share?

5. What is the geographic setting for the story?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the final conclusion about the meaning of love?

2. What relationship does Mel have to the old man in the hospital?

3. How is a sense of repressed hostility presented in the story?

4. What happens after Mel spills his glass on the table?

5. Why does Laura bump Nick's knee under the table?

6. According to Mel, why is the old man depressed?

7. What was Mel's relationship with the old couple like?

8. Where are the characters in the story from?

9. Who is the dominant character in Carver's story, and how do you know?

10. Do you think Mel's example of real love is an appropriate one? Why or why not?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Climax in a story is significant to the overall plot. Describe the climax in Carver's story. Did you predict the outcome of the story based on the climax? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Syntax is the way an author puts words, sentences, and sections together to form ideas and meanings. It can be overt or subtle, isolated to a portion of the work or universal throughout. Describe the syntax Carver uses in this story. How do specific characteristics about the syntax contribute to the reader's experience of the work?

Essay Topic 3

Narration refers to the method the author uses to communicate the story to readers. From what type of viewpoint is this story narrated? Discuss the advantages and drawbacks of presenting a story from this viewpoint.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 700 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample