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. Who agrees to pay all the expenses for the trip?

2. What is Jack Wilkie's job?

3. Why does Dr. Symes no longer practice medicine?

4. What is the first city Ray reaches in Belize?

5. Who does Ray send to the police station to find some information?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Why does Ray change his mind about riding with Jack to find Norma and Guy?

3. What is "The Dog of the South"?

4. Describe Ray's encounter with Guy at the Dupree farm.

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

6. What does Mrs. Symes believe about her son when she sees him and why will she not give the land in Louisiana to him?

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

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

9. How does Ray get Dr. Symes into Belize when Dr. Symes is very ill?

10. How does Ray determine where Guy has probably taken Norma?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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

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

What is the significance of the book's title? What are some other possible titles for the book? List at least five and cite your reasons for each.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,028 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample