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This test consists of 5 short answer questions and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. As Carver's story progresses, how do Mel and Terri's attitudes toward each other change?

2. What aspects of the heart does Mel understand?

3. Who encourages Mel to explore the topic of love?

4. Which of the following techniques does the author use in his story?

5. After Mel finished his story, who does the narrator think knows the meaning of true love?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Foreshadowing is a common literary technique that indicates what will happen later in the story. Describe 2-3 instances of foreshadowing in this story. Did the author use them effectively?

Essay Topic 3

Connotation and denotation help a reader understand the meaning of a particular word or concept. Define both connotation and denotation. Identify a word used by Carver in this story and define its denotation and possible connotations. In this specific story, how does the connotation of terms contribute to the reader's understanding of the work?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 263 words (approx. 1 page at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample