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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 does the young woman do at the end of "A Man in the Way"?

2. What kind of film is Pat Hobby working on in "Boil Some Water--Lots of It"?

3. What does Pat tell the couple that his profession is in "The Homes of the Stars"?

4. What tone is set by the events at the end of "A Man in the Way"?

5. In "A Man in the Way," from where does the young woman get her idea?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the character of Pat in "Pat Hobby's Christmas Wish."

2. What is the biggest example of Pat's unluckiness in "Pat Hobby, Putative Father"?

3. In "Boil Some Water--Lots of It," how does Pat try to fix the situation regarding the man trying to sit at the Big Table?

4. How does Pat stoop to a new low in "Teamed With Genius"?

5. In "Pat Hobby and Orson Welles," how is Pat pushed to the back burner, even when he is dressed like Orson Welles?

6. How does "Boil Some Water--Lots of It" touch on the theme of respect?

7. What happens when Pat directs the chauffeur to Shirley Temple's house in "The Homes of the Stars"?

8. In "The Homes of the Stars," what kind of scam does Pat run?

9. In "A Man in the Way," how does Berners react to finding out the truth about Pat?

10. How does Pat try to impress his son in "Pat Hobby, Putative Father"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Pat used to be an important person at the studio. He was successful and popular, but that has changed. How has Pat's career transformed throughout the years? What is his role as a writer now, and how does his current role affect his judgment? Remember to answer each question with support from the story.

Essay Topic 2

Humor is a prominent aspect of The Pat Hobby Stories, and this is especially true in "Pat Hobby's Secret." How is the theme of humor reflected in the story? Cite three examples of how humor is reflected in the story and why each instance is humorous. Remember to answer each question with support from the story.

Essay Topic 3

"Pat Hobby's Christmas Wish" carries a theme of kinship between two people who feel similarly unsympathetic feelings toward Gooddorf for different reasons. How do Pat and Helen bond? What are their feelings about Gooddorf, and how does this create a connection between the two of them? Remember to answer each question with support from the story.

(see the answer keys)

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