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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. Where do they first find cancer in Hugh?

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

3. What summer job does Everett take in Victoria to help him get through the winter in Book Five?

4. For what sport does Irwin leave baseball?

5. How many PAC-10 teams offer a baseball scholarship to Peter?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Everett's 211 page letter eventually reach Natasha?

2. Why does Everett think Myshkin is a prodigy in literature and art?

3. Why does Irwin quit the baseball team?

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

5. What tradition do Peter and Everett have that was inspired by the Glass brothers in Salinger's novel Franny & Zooey?

6. What secret about Linda does Bet reveal to Kincaid in Book Five?

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

8. Why is Everett so suited to activism?

9. What does Laura plan to do at church in Chapter 8, and what ends up happening instead?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The theme of love is central to The Brothers K and has many manifestations. Compare and contrast two approaches to the idea of "what is love" as evidenced by the following characters:

a) Hugh's love for Laura throughout their courtship and marriage

b) Irwin's love of Jesus and God

c) Everett's love for Tasha

d) Bet and Freddy's love for Grandawma

e) Kincaid's love for Hugh

f) Laura's love for Everett

Essay Topic 2

Throughout the novel Laura and Everett's relationship changes dramatically several times. Using textual examples describe how the shifts in their relationship resonate with the themes of love, judgment, and redemption.

Essay Topic 3

In the novel Kincaid makes this statement about Hugh, "Papa didn't cures: his whole art is control." Explain what Kincaid meant by this statement and how it coincides with the character of Hugh in the novel. Do you believe it is an accurate statement? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 825 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample