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. Where does Nick fear the wardens will send him back to?

2. What type of business does Aunt Halley's husband run?

3. Who is Nick's father going to help?

4. Who has left the town in this story?

5. Who is the large prostitute that Nick and Tom run into at the bus station?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the them in this story?

2. How is Nick's demeanor in this story uncharacteristic of his usual calm manner?

3. What happens when Nick and his friends pass some Indians on their way home on the Fourth of July?

4. What stereotypes does Hemingway point out related to the peasants and the way the innkeeper refers to them?

5. What does Hemingway show about Nick's father who cleans his shotgun?

6. What does Nick's father tell his wife about the fight with the other man over the wood?

7. How has Nick transitioned in this section?

8. How does Nick show sensitivity when interacting with the large prostitute, Alice?

9. What is Marjorie's relationship to Nick and how does he feel about the relationship at this point?

10. How does Hemingway show his love of nature through Nick's actions in this story?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the character of Nick Adams. What are his similarities to Hemingway? Do you think Nick's character was based on Hemingway himself as some believe? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

Hemingway writes about women giving birth or wanting a child in several of the stories. What is the significance of the birth theme to these stories and in literature in general?

Essay Topic 3

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

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 734 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample