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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 does Ray refuse to give into, despite the temptation?

2. What is the name of the dog Ray and his brother-in-law fight about?

3. Who offers snide comments about other writers and poets?

4. What do Ray and Japhy decide to do when they become bored of the party?

5. In what month does Ray finally leave for his summer job?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Rheinhold Cacoethes do during the going away party for Japhy?

2. Where is Ray's future job during the summer months?

3. What does Ray realize during one of his meditations he is empowered to do?

4. What does Ray dream about when he is sleeping during the night after Japhy and he begin their hike?

5. What does Ray realize he misses when he goes to Juarez and meets some people for drinking and smoking?

6. What does Ray do as he stays in the shack behind Sean and Christine's home?

7. What does Japhy's father do when he arrives at the party for Japhy's going away?

8. What do Ray and Japhy do to help out Sean as he is providing accommodations for the both of them?

9. What does Japhy do with his girlfriend who tries to board the boat with him to Japan?

10. How does Ray help his mother and her illness?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The theme of simplicity is another obvious idea that is tested and acknowledged as the story continues.

Part 1: What are Ray's ideas about simplicity? What are Japhy's ideas about simplicity?

Part 2: What are some examples of Ray and Japhy's adherence to simplicity?

Part 3: Why is living simply preferable to living any other way, according to these characters?

Essay Topic 2

Ray states that one of the most important traits one can have is to give to others, yet he does not always seem to be able to do this. Japhy, on the other hand, seems to be quite willing and able to give of himself.

Part 1: Why does Ray think charity is the most important virtues?

Part 2: In what ways does Ray bring charity into his own life?

Part 3: In what ways is Japhy able to bring charity into his life as well as into Ray's life?

Essay Topic 3

The suicide of Rosie is a tragic part of this story, though it seems to be a necessary evil within the story as well.

Part 1: Describe the circumstances of Rosie's suicide.

Part 2: Who might be to blame for her suicide? Who might have been able to stop her?

Part 3: What are the consequences of Rosie's suicide?

(see the answer keys)

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