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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. When Mac moves to San Diego, what kind of work does he do?

2. Why did Johnny have to give up on his college in his second year?

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

4. At whose print shop in San Francisco does Mac get a job?

5. What does Fainy discover when he is waiting for Mannie Bingham?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Ike do that leaves Mac stranded?

2. Describe Janey.

3. What does Fred Hoff offer Mac?

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

5. What kind of personality does Janey have?

6. After meeting Ben Evans, what does Mac decide?

7. Where does Janey work in Washington DC? What knowledge does she acquire?

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

9. How does Mac learn independence?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

John Dos Passos offers a compelling narrative told in an unorthodox and experimental fashion using "Newsreels" with blaring headlines, autobiographical "Camera Eye" sections with poetic stream-of-consciousness, and "biographies" evoking emblematic historical figures like J.P. Morgan, Henry Ford, John Reed, Frank Lloyd Wright, Thorstein Veblen, and the Unknown Soldier. Do you find this style interesting to read? Are you able to follow the story line easily, or are these changes erratic and confusing for you as a reader? Does John dos Passos offer powerful storytelling that holds your attention? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

The author uses more than one iteration on the theme of discontentment in the 42nd Parallel. Identify at least two characters who either embody or experience discontentment. Cite an example to support your answers.

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This section contains 703 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample