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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 prompted Guy to want to leave the area suddenly?

2. Why is the person in #45 looking for Dr. Symes?

3. What is the purpose of the Louisiana island now?

4. What had Guy recently sent to the President?

5. What is Ray tracking as the story begins?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who does Dr. Symes plan to visit in Belize and what is his motive for the visit?

2. What does Dr. Symes blame his failures on and what advice does he give to Ray?

3. Who is Christine and how does Ray meet her?

4. How are Dr. Symes and his mother so different?

5. What prompted Norma's running away with Guy?

6. Why did Ray not see the signs that Norma was unhappy in her life?

7. Who is Popo, and what is the nature of Ray's encounter with him?

8. Who is Dr. Reo Symes and why does Ray take him with him on the trip?

9. How does Ray go about finding the location of Guy's family's farm?

10. What does Ray learn about Dr. Symes on the trip to Belize?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain the concept of loneliness as it exhibits in the story. Which of the characters are lonely? Are they all lonely in some way? Explain the loneliness and the methods and attempts to overcome it.

Essay Topic 2

Explain Portis' use of regionalism in the book. Cite examples of at least two different instances of regionalism and explain why the author used them where he did.

Essay Topic 3

Create a brief character study of Ray Midge. What does he look like? What are his positive personality traits? What are some of his negative characteristics? What are his hopes and fears? What motivates him during his lifetime?

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This section contains 974 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample