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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. After finishing eighth grade, where does Charley go to work with his brother for the summer?

2. When the train arrives in New York, how does Janey travel to reach her new office?

3. Who cuts a trip short in Europe because of the threat of war?

4. What is the story that circulates about Eleanor when she starts her first job?

5. What kinds of tickets does Mac buy?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Ward want to achieve on his own without Annabelle's support?

2. After Ward leaves Annabelle, where does he live, and what is life like there?

3. What effect does the war have on Ward's relationship with Gertrude and his work?

4. What happens that makes Janey feel that she has made the "big time" at work?

5. What does Eleanor do to conceal her upbringing?

6. When Janey first arrives in New York, what is her initial impression?

7. Initially, what decision does Johnny make about Annabelle in pages 151-172?

8. What does Charley decide to do when the pregnancy is terminated?

9. What effect does Annabelle's decision to terminate her pregnancy have on Ward?

10. What does Ward want in his line of work, and how does he achieve it?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe Eleanor. What is her role in the story? How does she compare with the other four main characters? What struggles must she overcome? What was the author trying to accomplish by creating Eleanor's character in the novel?

Essay Topic 2

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

Essay Topic 3

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.

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