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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. What addition to the Chance family and friends from Camas intimidates Major Keys?

2. What nickname does Everett gain during his time at college?

3. What does Freddy name her dog?

4. What is the name of the British man who facilitates the robbing of Peter in India?

5. What is the typical sentence for draft dodgers at the time of Everett's sentencing?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Peter refuse to buy back his manuscripts in Book Five?

2. Why is Everett so suited to activism?

3. What reason does Natasha give to Everett for not wanting to sleep after their coffee date in Book Four?

4. What causes Winnifred, or Freddy, to become upset at Sunday School with Mrs. Babcock and to begin quoting Muhammad?

5. How is Peter afraid of hurting his father in regard to baseball in Book Four?

6. How is Everett's attitude in regards to his imprisonment?

7. What reason does Peter give Laura for taking a job at the mill in Chapter 5?

8. What does Kincaid dream about on their journey home in Book Six that startles and scares him?

9. Why does Irwin quit the baseball team?

10. What effect does Everett's glasses have upon his baseball game?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

One of the strongest literary tools employed by Duncan in The Brothers K is the use of foreshadowing. Give examples of where Duncan has employed foreshadowing and discuss in detail how this use of foreshadowing furthered the plot, developed character, or strengthened a theme.

Essay Topic 2

Throughout the novel Laura's views of her religion and her fervor towards it change drastically; however, Hugh's views of her religion remain somewhat the same. Discuss the dichotomy of how these views differ and how they reflect upon the character that holds them.

Essay Topic 3

In The Brothers K, Duncan utilizes many popular historical baseball figures as characters and anecdotes throughout the novel. Using at least three examples of these figures from the text, discuss how the inclusion of these characters affects the plot and directs the themes of the novel.

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