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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. Who is the lawyer that stays in touch with Janey even after he leaves the firm?

2. Janey and her friend get jobs as typists at ____________.

3. What does Mac feel sad about leaving behind when they leave for Chicago?

4. Where was Moorehouse a top salesman?

5. Who is the Commanding General?

Short Essay Questions

1. Where does Mac live with Maisie and what is their relationship?

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

3. How does Mac learn independence?

4. What is the only question that Fainy asks about his job?

5. What happens when Fainy and Bingham ride the train to Michigan?

6. When Fainy accepts a job with Doc Bingham, what does he learn about his new place of employment right away?

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

8. Describe Johnny Ward Morehouse.

9. What does Ike teach Mac?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

When Mac travels to Mexico, he does not go for physical reasons. Instead, he goes to stimulate his mind and to free his spirit. What is the significance of taking a spiritual journey versus just a physical one? How does this affect Mac in particular?

Part 1) What is the difference in the journeys of Mac versus that of Janey?

Part 2) Describe Mac's final experience and how it varies greatly from his first trip. What new friends has he made? What fears has he conquered? What relationships has he formed, and what relationships has he severed? Why?

Part 3) Of the five main characters, who gains the most knowledge and understanding from traveling? Why?

Essay Topic 2

The 42nd Parallel is written from the third-person point of view where the narrator is an outsider who can report only what he or she sees and hears. This narrator can tell us what is happening, but he cannot tell us the thoughts of the characters. This method allows the author to establish the setting and to supply background information to the reader about people, places, and events. Is this method effective? Why or why not? Would a first-person narrative be more or less appealing? Describe.

Essay Topic 3

The 42nd Parallel is an example of fictional realism. What does that classification entail? Why does this novel fit into this category? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

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