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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. According to stories, how was the Quoyle house brought to its present location?

2. The bay's appearance on the map is shown as . . .

3. What is part of the managing editor's job?

4. How is Agnis Hamm related to Quoyle's father?

5. Who was Quoyle's favorite child?

Short Essay Questions

1. Does Tert Card demonstrate the qualities required of a managing editor?

2. What does Chapter 10 show the reader about the relationship of people to the sea?

3. What do we learn about the aunt in Chapter 6?

4. What are Quoyle's expectations of marriage and how is the reality different for him?

5. What is indicated by the image of Quoyle looking at the horizon?

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

7. What insight into Jack Buggit does the harbormaster convey to Quoyle?

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

THE SHIPPING NEWS shows us contrasting practices in the rearing of children. Explain and discuss the way in which Quoyle was raised and contrast this with the way he raises his own children. You could also refer to the parenting skills of Wavey and Beety. What do these differences show us about (a) changes in society and (b) changes in individuals?

Essay Topic 2

THE SHIPPING NEWS is a novel that successfully presents a web of sub-plots. Of the sub-plots in the novel, identify and discuss two.

1) What functions do these sub-plots perform in the novel? Do they support the main narrative stream, complement it or provide contrast?

2) Do you consider that sub-plots enrich our enjoyment of narrative texts?

Essay Topic 3

'Someone breaking free of the past.'

1) What kind of past is Quoyle breaking fee of and how does he achieve this?

2) Consider Agnis' past and its association with Quoyle's Point. How is she able to surmount the hideous experiences of her childhood?

Discuss with close reference to the novel.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,056 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample