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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. Whose poetry does Patricia Westerford read at her father's funeral?

2. What object caused Olivia's electrocution?

3. After how many days did the Stanford Prison Experiment come to a close?

4. What does the college lecturer say is the backbone of civilization just before Olivia leaves the auditorium in "Trunk"?

5. Who wrote "A leaf of grass is no less than the journey-work of the stars" (8)?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is Nicholas Hoel's childhood described?

2. How and where do Mimi and Douglas meet?

3. What is Olivia Vandergriff's life like prior to her electrocution?

4. How does the play Macbeth relate to The Overstory?

5. Where does Olivia meet Nick? What are their circumstances at the time?

6. What leads Adam Appich to his joining the group of activists?

7. What do The Sylvan Prophesies and Sempervirens refer to?

8. What is the significance of the scroll and rings in Mimi Ma's backstory?

9. What does Douglas experience during his service in the Vietnam War?

10. How is Patricia Westerford's education described? What career does she enter?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the narrative style of The Overstory. From what narrative perspective is the novel related? Does this perspective remain static or does it change? What is the importance of this narrative style to the story?

Essay Topic 2

Describe Neelay Mehta's backstory and discuss his role in the novel. How is Neelay connected to nature? What does he do with this connection? Why?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the theme of connection in The Overstory. How does the author explore this theme both literally and metaphorically? What symbols are the reflection of connection? How?

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