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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 described as a 'gelatinous horror'?

2. What is the subject of the story Quoyle tells his daughters?

3. What complicates the family's stay at the motel?

4. How does Quoyle get the list of ships?

5. How much money did Wavey's father make on berries in the previous year?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Quoyle respond to the news about the Quoyles' past?

2. How does the author use the symbolism of the iceberg that Quoyle and Wavey see during their walk?

3. How important is the rhythm of their new lives for Quoyle and his family?

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

5. How does Quoyle feel about Bunny's problems at school?

6. What is important, symbolically, about Quoyle's reluctance to move into the house on the point?

7. How does the aunt respond to Quoyle's doubt over his ability to do the job?

8. What is Quoyle's attitude to Petal and her death?

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

10. What major fear does Quoyle face up to in Chapter 12?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

THE SHIPPING NEWS is a novel that is dominated by landscape and weather.

1)Discuss the extent to which you agree with this statement.

2)To what extent is there correlation between the external world and the characters' lives?

3) Consider how this happens in a novel or film from your general reading and viewing, and compare it with THE SHIPPING NEWS.

Essay Topic 2

'The ocean is as much a character in this novel as is Quoyle.'

1) What techniques does the author use to give the impression that the sea is a character?

2) Discuss the way of the power of the sea and human responses to it, are represented in THE SHIPPING NEWS. In your answer, focus on two major characters and one secondary character.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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