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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. In what section of Washington, D.C. did Janey grow up?

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

3. What does Johnny ask Annabelle when they spend time together?

4. What is Mac's real name?

5. What does Mac's father do for a living at Chadwick Mills?

Short Essay Questions

1. What effect did Uncle Tim have on Mac?

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

3. Describe Mac's life as a child.

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

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

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

7. Describe Johnny Ward Morehouse.

8. How does Mac learn independence?

9. What does Fred Hoff offer Mac?

10. What kind of personality does Janey have?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Janey and Ward are two of the main characters of the 42nd Parallel.

Part 1) What is their relationship? How do they coexist, and how do they interact? What is similar about them, and what is different?

Part 2) What are some events that Ward directly influenced? What are some events that Janey directly influenced?

Part 3) Which character offers support to other characters? Which one is stronger and why?

Essay Topic 2

Explain the concept of loneliness as it is exhibited in the 42nd Parallel. Which of the characters are lonely? Are they all lonely in some way? Explain the loneliness and the methods and attempts to overcome it.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 828 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample