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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 do when he returns to his room?

2. Where do Ray and the boys stop long enough to eat?

3. What does Ray find destroyed at the Tabernacle?

4. What has been stolen from Jack's car?

5. Why does Ray go one more time to the Dupree farm?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is the tropical storm symbolic of Ray's life?

2. What has happened to all the characters in the aftermath of the tropical storm?

3. What becomes of Ray and Norma after they return home?

4. What does Ray find at Leet's Motor Ranch that angers him?

5. Why is Guy devastated during his interactions with the radical photographers?

6. What surprise does Ray get when he and Christine help at the hospital?

7. What becomes of Guy?

8. What happens on the way to the Dupree farm when Ray plans to make one final attempt to contact Norma?

9. What is Ray's plan with the two boys to gain entrance into Guy's house?

10. What possibility about the situation with Norma has Ray not considered?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Portis is a master at dramatic devices. Choose an example of symbolism, metaphors, and irony. Briefly describe them and identify the technique which they embody.

Essay Topic 2

Compare and contrast Ray and Guy. Both men want influence over Norma but have their hold on her in very different ways. Why are their differences classic examples of conflict in drama? What other similarities and dissimilarities are there between the two characters?

Essay Topic 3

Project into the future ten years and write a brief synopsis for Ray's life. Be sure to include emotional states as well as physical characteristics, geographic locations, work, hobbies, and socialization. Will Norma ever return? Will he still be taking college courses?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 932 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample