View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. When did Albert take a trip to Ireland with Sydney?

2. What type of jacket was Erwin wearing when he left the apartment building to get rid of the burned fish?

3. What was the temperature when Erwin left the Apelles to get rid of the burned fish?

4. How tall was John Caldwell?

5. Before Erica moved in, what radio station did Albert spend most of his afternoons listening to in his study?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Hazel like to pretend about her husband at the end of Part 3, Chapter 25?

2. Who did John and Erwin see in the lobby of the hospital when they arrived?

3. How had Albert relied on logic throughout his life?

4. What did Erwin see coming toward him as he stood trying to decide what to do with the fish he came to throw away?

5. How does Hazel have photos of her husband smiling?

6. Where did John Caldwell work in 1978, and what job did he really want?

7. How did Albert get away from the hospital?

8. Where did Erica accompany Albert when she worked for him?

9. How did Manny remember that a man named Lieutenant Spitz died when he was in Vietnam?

10. Why did John have to walk to the hospital to try to find his father?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analogies are used to compare an unfamiliar object or idea to a familiar one in an attempt to explain the unfamiliar. How does the author use analogies in the book? How do analogies help readers understand unfamiliar ideas or understand events or characters?

Essay Topic 2

Imagery is a literary device authors use to describe something using the five senses to help readers experience what a character is experiencing. How does the author use imagery to help readers imagine the world he has created?

Essay Topic 3

In the novel, some characters are more thoroughly described than others. Who are some characters that are merely named in passing or have a minor role in the novel? What is the importance of these flat characters to the storyline? In what way do these characters make the main characters more colorful or interesting? When there is conflict, what type of role do these flat characters play?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 970 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample