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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 is one of the things on Dr. Symes' arrest record?

2. Who is the son of the woman in #87?

3. What does Ray pass on his way to find Norma and Guy?

4. Who is Dr. Symes' former business partner?

5. How does Ray prove to Guy that Popo will not be coming?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. How does Mrs. Symes perceive the arrival of her son in Belize?

5. Why is Ray forced to use some of Dr. Symes' money at the hotel?

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

7. How does Guy show that he is essentially a low-life character?

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

9. Who is Webster Spooner and how does Ray meet him?

10. What signs did Norma show that she was unhappy in her life?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Create a brief character study of Guy Dupree. 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?

Essay Topic 2

Explain the ongoing conflict between Ray and Norma. What are the main sources of the conflicts? Why does it perpetuate? What does Norma learn about the reality of her life with Ray as opposed to the perceptions she has held for so long?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss Portis' writing style. How is he different from other writers of his time? What are some of his characteristic writing techniques? Identify some examples of his classic style in "The Dog of the South".

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