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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. Whom does Johnny meet on the train that is from a wealthy family?

2. What does Johnny's new job offer him as pay?

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

4. When Mac is waiting to hop a freight train, whom does he meet?

5. Who walks along a cobblestone path in the Camera Eye segment?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why do the rancher and his wife not approve of Mac?

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

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

4. What effect did Uncle Tim have on Mac?

5. What does Johnny do for work, and why does he move to Ocean City?

6. What does Ike do that leaves Mac stranded?

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

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

9. Who is Annabelle Marie Strang, and why is she important to Johnny?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

Describe some of the settings for the stories in the 42nd Parallel. What is the overall setting? Be sure to include geography, time period, and any pertinent popular culture events. Why did the author choose to use these places in the stories of the 42nd Parallel?

Essay Topic 3

Create a brief character study of Mac. What does he look like? What are his positive personality traits? What are some of his negative characteristics? What are his hopes and fears? What motivates him at this point in his life?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 800 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample