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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 are Ma, Henning, and Bill Bob actually doing when Gus comes home?

2. What does the man from Arizona who wants to sell Gus's wares say to Gus?

3. What do Ernie, Emma, and the kids give to Gus in return for fishing lessons?

4. Why doesn't Gus want to use the dairy kids' names?

5. How does Gus speak to the girl?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Gus learn about solitude?

2. Who are Googler and Mangler and what purpose do they serve?

3. Explain the relationship between Descartes and Titus.

4. Why is Bill Bob standing in the cold whistling?

5. What do Henning and his colleagues do metaphysically that Gus does not understand?

6. How does Titus use Rodney to explain God to Gus?

7. How have Henning and Ma changed since Gus has been away? What do they tell Gus is the reason for the change?

8. What exchange do Titus and Gus have and why?

9. What happens to Gus when he meets the most beautiful girl that he could imagine?

10. Explain the scene written about Steve and his family and losing the monkey doll on the mountain.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How is Bill Bob an extraordinary young boy? How does he affect Gus?

Essay Topic 2

How are Titus and Descartes comic relief? Why is comic relief a welcome visitor in the story?

Essay Topic 3

Address the huge fight at the dinner before Gus leaves to the fishing cabin. What is revealed about his feelings towards his mother and father? What does his eruption say about the way he deals with his feelings? What are their reactions? What do their reactions say about their parenting?

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