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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 Stunt Piolot," why does Dillard's heart flutter?

2. In "Westbury Court," who moves into the apartment down the hall after the lady and her children move out?

3. Pertaining to "The Telephone" where did Anwar Accawi grow up?

4. Who has the worst hair of Aldrich's family?

5. What does Frazier recall about his childhood in "A Lovely Sort of Lower Purpose"?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why was McPhee thinking of his mother in the "Silk Parachute"?

2. What does Sanders think about tools verses machines in "The Inheritance of Tools"?

3. What importance does Gates see in one's hairstyle, particularly with blacks in "In the Kitchen"?

4. Do you find truth with McClanahan's essay of the woman writing in the margin and their mutual emotions?

5. Describe Aldrich's mother from the essay "Hair."

6. How does Tan learn English in "Mother Tongue"?

7. If you were Cofer, would you want to have the comfort of having a small neighborhood full of people from your native country?

8. What does Fadiman say about email in the essay "Mail"?

9. Why does Sanders place such importance on tools in the essay, "The Inheritance of Tools"?

10. How does Grealy respond to pain in the essay "Mirrorings"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What do you think Philip Petit from "Turning Point" would say to David Rahm from "The Stunt Pilot"? Consider the risks and artistry in each of their professions.

Essay Topic 2

Compare and contrast the purpose of the female and male bodies according to "The Disposable Rocket." Do you agree with Updike's opinion of the two genders?

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast the role that 'secrets' play in the essays, "The Blue Machinery of Summer" and "Book Marks."

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 523 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample