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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. Who is poor at keeping secrets?

2. What song does Yark half-sing?

3. Where was the packet of money posted?

4. In the end, what does Quoyle learn?

5. Who humiliated Herry Prowse?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Comment on the news stories the men discuss on that cold November morning.

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

4. What is Quoyle's response to Billy Pretty's skepticism about him?

5. Comment on Jack Buggit's 'resurrection'.

6. Contrast the growing relationship between Quoyle and Wavey with that each experienced with their previous partners.

7. What secret is exposed during the visit to St John's?

8. In what way is Bunny's attention-seeking during the restaurant dinner important?

9. From the description of it in this chapter, is it possible Quoyle would enjoy living in Nutbeem's trailer?

10. In what way is Quoyle's discovery of the body important to the narrative?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Every character in THE SHIPPING NEWS deals with some kind of adversity. Choose TWO characters.

1) Explain the adversity the characters experience and describe the way in which they deal with it.

2) Discuss differences in the characters' approach and comment on the outcomes of their adversity.

3) What do we learn about the effect of adversity on human lives?

Essay Topic 3

THE SHIPPING NEWS is about physical and internal journeys.

Our lives can be described as journeys during which we encounter many experiences, some pleasant, others terrifying. Our journeys involve the physical, as we move from place to place, and the emotional/psychological, as we respond to what happens to us. Examine the way journeys shape the character and destiny of Quoyle, Agnis, Hamm and Jack Buggit.

(see the answer keys)

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