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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 did Mrs. Symes leave to Melba?

2. Ray lives his life ___________________.

3. Why did the photographers abruptly break ties with Guy?

4. Who dropped Norma off at the hospital?

5. What has Ray not considered with his plan?

Short Essay Questions

1. What becomes of Guy?

2. What has been Norma's contact with Guy since he dropped her off at the hospital?

3. Why has Norma been in the hospital?

4. What forces Ray and the others to take shelter at the Fort George Hotel?

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

6. What is Ray's plan to get some money when he cannot get a loan from either Dr. Symes or Melba?

7. What dire news does Ray receive when he returns to the Tabernacle in town?

8. What do Jack and Ray do separately after the end of the storm?

9. How do Ray and Norma return to the States, and what is the tone of their trip?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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".

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

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?

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This section contains 853 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample