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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 girl want to buy who comes into the store?

2. What expression is on the girl's face when Tommy returns with the items she wants to buy?

3. How does Tommy describe the girl who comes in the store to buy something?

4. What does Tommy say to the girl after he notices she was stealing?

5. Where does Tony remember an uncle used to take him?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Tommy remember catching with his uncle Dom once?

2. What does Tommy consider doing when he sees the girl stealing?

3. Why did a cop tell Tommy and Uncle Dom to throw back a lobster they caught, and why did they keep the lobster?

4. How does Tommy notice that the girl steals some candy bars?

5. What does Tommy remember doing with his Uncle Dom?

6. How is the girl different from other kids who come into the store?

7. What type of day is Tommy having when a young girl comes into the store?

8. How does Tommy compare the ten-year-old girl who comes to the store with her mother?

9. What are Tommy's thoughts when he brings the paper to the girl?

10. What does a ten-year-old girl buy and why?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Imagery is a literary device authors use to describe people in a story and the world they inhabit. Imagery involves using the five senses to describe characters, places, and things. How does Malamud use imagery to reveal Tommy’s world and the other characters?

Essay Topic 2

Setting is the place and time where a narrative takes place. What is the setting in The Prison? How does the setting evoke feelings or set the mood in the story?

Essay Topic 3

Accumulation is a literary device that allows an author to gather scattered ideas in a literary work and gradually build on information readers need to know. From whose perspective is The Prison told? How does Malamud use accumulation to advance the plot and provide readers with important details about Tommy and his life?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 804 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample