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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 the news clip about Harrison's speech, what does the toast celebrate?

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

3. What does Ike teach Fainy to do?

4. Who sends Janey postcards when she is twenty-one?

5. What meeting place of revolutionaries does Mac visit in Mexico?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What effect did Uncle Tim have on Mac?

4. How does Mac learn independence?

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

6. What does Ike teach Mac?

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

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

9. Describe Mac's life as a child.

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

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

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?

Essay Topic 3

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.

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This section contains 842 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample