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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 type of animal devours the wildcat?

2. Who is the storekeep that Gifford questions about Ownby?

3. Where does Sylder's car die while on his whiskey run?

4. Where does the large cat find refuge from the rain?

5. What does the orchard keeper notice about the peach pit when he visits it?

Short Essay Questions

1. What sense of foreboding does Sylder have as he tries to fall asleep?

2. Why can the authorities not be absolutely certain that the corpse is that of Kenneth Rattner and what do they tell Rattner's widow?

3. Describe Sylder's booking in the police department.

4. Describe Ownby's arrest by Officer Gifford.

5. What are John Wesley and Warn's speculation on what had happened to the mink?

6. How else might the irony of Sylder and John Wesley's friendship be interpreted?

7. Why is Sylder's toe injury probably unrelated to a war injury?

8. Does it appear that Arthur is completely anti-social?

9. Describe the activities of the wildcat as it tries to find dry quarters as well as something to eat.

10. Why does McCarthy wait until this point in the story to reveal the orchard keeper's formal name?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The author uses more than one theme in the novel. Identify at least two themes in the story and then cite an example to support each theme.

Essay Topic 2

The author uses some important instances of foreshadowing in the story. Explain what foreshadowing is and cite at least two examples making sure to explain what makes each an example of foreshadowing.

Essay Topic 3

McCarthy waits until almost the end of the novel to reveal the name of the orchard keeper. Why does he wait until this point? What does it mean when the reader finally knows the true identity of the orchard keeper? What is happening in the orchard keeper's life that erases any more secrecy about the old man? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,285 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample