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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 is the Back Buddy for?

2. What does Wavey notice in Archie Sparks' yard?

3. Identify the type of figurative language used in: 'sunset like a flock of birds on fire'.

4. What bizarre tale does Nutbeem tell?

5. Who buys sea urchin roe?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Annie Proulx utilize symbolism in the account of Billy's and Quoyle's journey back from Gaze Island?

2. What is interesting about the idea of the aunt and Quoyle digging a garden patch?

3. In what way is the appearance of the Botterjacht ironic?

4. Account for Quoyle's cherished hope that he was, in fact, a changeling.

5. How does the aunt account for her wish to return to Newfoundland?

6. In what way are Billy and Quoyle connected?

7. What is the significance of Agnis' relationship with Irene Warren?

8. In what way is the aunt's reaction to the appearance of the distant Quoyle different from her nephew's?

9. Why do we feel at this point that there is cause to be optimistic about Quoyle's growing friendship with Wavey?

10. What does the green house on the point mean to the aunt?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay about the important contrasts that are represented in THE SHIPPING NEWS.

1) Focus on contrasting values and attitudes. In what ways are those in Newfoundland different from what Quoyle has left behind? Illustrate by focusing on three characters and make frequent reference to the text.

2) Consider the contrast between life in Killick-Claw and that which Partridge describes in his phone call from Los Angeles.

3) Discuss the ways in which these contrasts support the themes of the novel.

Essay Topic 2

Identify two themes in THE SHIPPING NEWS. Discuss the ways in which the novelist uses character and circumstance to explore these themes. You should focus on Quoyle, Agnis and Jack Buggit.

Essay Topic 3

THE SHIPPING NEWS is a novel rich in symbolism.

1) Discuss three significant symbols in the novel and comment on their importance for characterization and thematic development.

2) Does the author focus on one or more particular symbols and what does that add to our understanding of the main characters?

3) Are there specific symbols associated with particular characters?

4) What is the place of symbolism in readers' deeper appreciation of this or any other novel?

(see the answer keys)

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