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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. For how long does the author say she's been corresponding with Charlie Engle when she goes to see him in prison in "Fog Count"?

2. Who attempted to shut down the Barkley Marathons due to erosion and endangered plants?

3. What novel does the author say she cannot help but think of when looking at Lazarus Lake in "The Immortal Horizon"?

4. Where is Andrew Thompson said to be from in "The Immortal Horizon"?

5. What is the title of the first section of "Pain Tours (II)"?

Short Essay Questions

1. The author gives "Some Important Dates in the History of Artificial Sugar" in "In Defense of Saccharine(e)." What are these dates and events?

2. Who were the West Memphis Three, and what were they charged with?

3. How is "Pain Tours (II)" structured?

4. How were the West Memphis Three depicted and perceived by their community at the time of their trial?

5. What inspired the origins of the Barkley Marathons?

6. Who originated the Barkley Marathons? How is this individual described?

7. What does "deus ex machina" mean and why does the author discuss it in "Lost Boys"?

8. How is Pam Hobbs described in "Lost Boys"?

9. What does the author describe the maid doing in Madame Bovary in "In Defense of Saccharine(e)"?

10. How does the author describe the book Let Us Now Praise Famous Men?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the importance of setting in "Fog Count." How does the author describe West Virginia? What did she learn about its appearances? How is the prison described? What mood(s) does the author evoke through her descriptions of setting in this essay?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss three examples of metaphor in The Empathy Exams. What things/concepts are being compared? How do you relate to the metaphor? What effect does this metaphor have on the reader?

Essay Topic 3

What is empathy? From where does this word originate? What are its roots? How is empathy different than sympathy? Why is empathy important?

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This section contains 728 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample