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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. With whom does Johnny meet at the Ocean City Improvement and Realty Company?

2. When Mac is a child, what is he afraid of?

3. What does Ike teach Fainy to do?

4. According to a News Reel, what did Luther Burbank develop?

5. In the Camera Eye section, who became active in the labor union and the Socialist Party?

Short Essay Questions

1. What kind of personality does Janey have?

2. What do you learn about Mac's personality through his choices in pages. 62-84?

3. What could Maisie have done to keep Mac in Los Angeles with her?

4. What decision does Mac make regarding Maisie and her pregnancy?

5. What do Fred Hoff and Mac share in common?

6. What happens at the theater? What does Mac do?

7. What happens on the train ride to Chicago that Mac takes?

8. What occurs at Mrs. Kovach's house when Fainy and Bingham spend the night?

9. Why does Johnny have to leave college?

10. Describe Janey.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The author uses more than one iteration on the theme of loss. Identify at least two themes about loss in the 42nd Parallel. Then cite an example to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Every main character in the 42nd Parallel (Janey, Mac, Ward, Eleanor, and Charley) wants to find a purpose in life and seeks meaning through self-expression. Which characters find purpose and direction to their lives and in what ways? Which characters do not achieve this? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

Politics play a significant role throughout the entire book. In the 42nd Parallel, John dos Passos asks and sometimes offers occasional answers to big philosophical questions about the role and rights of workers in society, the equality of men and women, and important figures of the early 20th century. Do you find John dos Passos' arguments convincing? Why or why not? Do any of his characters show strong political opinions and, if so, about what? Describe.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 798 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample