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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. For what reason is Quoyle called to St John's?

2. What is the main component for a large dog's leash?

3. What indirectly caused Jack's accident?

4. What landscape feature triggers the aunt's memories?

5. How does Tert Card like his champagne?

Short Essay Questions

1. In what sense is the new boat symbolic?

2. Why is Quoyle uncertain about marrying Wavey?

3. In what way is the short scene involving his bath important to our understanding of Quoyle's inner journey?

4. What are the implied advantages of the green house?

5. What convincing evidence is there in this chapter of Quoyle's aptness for the new life he is making at Killick-Claw?

6. Comment on the destruction of the green house on the point.

7. What behaviors show the reader how the relationship between Quoyle and Wavey is developing?

8. What is important about Quoyle's encounter with Cousin Nolan?

9. What is the outcome of Bunny's attack on the teacher?

10. What conclusions can be drawn about the origin of the money Agnis receives?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

'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.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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