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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 Pat try to do to secure a better position in the studio in "Pat Hobby's Christmas Wish"?

2. In "Boil Some Water--Lots of It," what is the Big Table?

3. In "Teamed with Genius", how does Pat feel next to the playwright?

4. Whom does Pat owe money to in "Pat Hobby and Orson Welles"?

5. The man on the corner in "The Homes of the Stars" closes up for _____________.

Short Essay Questions

1. What does "A Man in the Way" show about Pat?

2. In "Teamed With Genius," what does everyone else predict about Pat, and how do they anticipate his actions?

3. What is revealed about the man who tries to sit at the Big Table in "Boil Some Water--Lots of It"?

4. In "Pat Hobby's Secret," how is the story a little more optimistic than the previous stories in the collection?

5. In "Pat Hobby and Orson Welles," how does Pat get a loan from Jeff?

6. In "Pat Hobby, Putative Father," what does Pat's son offer him and on what condition?

7. Who does Pat blame for his problem, and who should he be blaming in "Pat Hobby and Orson Welles"?

8. How does Woll die in "Pat Hobby's Secret"?

9. In "Pat Hobby, Putative Father," who is Pat's son? Describe his origins.

10. In "Teamed With Genius," why does Pat refuse to be left out in writing the script?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In "No Harm Trying," the story is built up in such a way that one thinks they will know the ending, but it ends up being a surprise. However, it reflects many themes from the collection of stories. What happens in the conclusion? What themes are reflected in the conclusion, and how are they reflected? Remember to answer each question with support from the story.

Essay Topic 2

In "Boil Some Water--Lots of It," Pat shows another side of himself when he tries to uphold the protocol of the commissary. How is the theme of respect reflected in this story? Remember to answer each question with support from the story.

Essay Topic 3

In "A Patriotic Short," Pat reminisces about the things he used to have as a successful writer and the status symbols that were associated with his success. How are status symbols reflected in the story? Name some status symbols in the story and their importance. Remember to answer each question with support from the story.

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This section contains 776 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample