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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. Where does the girl live who comes into the candy store to buy something?

2. What does Tommy see the girl steal on a Monday morning?

3. From where does Tommy have to get the things that a young girl wants to buy?

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

5. How much does the girl give Tommy for the things she buys?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What readers know about events and characters in a story is determined by the point of view. What is the point of view in The Prison? How does the point of view influence what readers know about characters and events?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

In The Prison, Tommy is the only round or dynamic character. What is the importance of the other characters as flat or static characters? When there is conflict, what role do these characters play?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 780 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample