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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. Why do Argentina and Paraguay refuse to play soccer in Peru?

2. What used to cause thousands of wrecks per year?

3. What movie character does Quoyle feel Benny resembles?

4. Who humiliated Herry Prowse?

5. What is Tert Card's reaction to Quoyle's piece about oil tankers?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

5. What insight into Wavey and her friends, the Buggit family, is provided in this chapter?

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

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

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

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

10. What good personal quality of Quoyle's almost costs him his life?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

All human beings need to have a sense of belonging to a group or a place. Without that, they can feel rootless, bereft.

Discuss the way in which the theme of 'belonging' is explored in THE SHIPPING NEWS.

Focus on three characters and their quest to belong.

Are there characters who do not follow such a quest? Who are these characters and why do you think they are different?

Essay Topic 2

'When I first read THE SHIPPING NEWS, I was captivated by Newfoundland and wished I could travel there and meet those eccentric characters.'

1) To what extent do you relate to this student's comment?

2) What are the overall qualities of the novel that would cause you to recommend it to a friend?

3) Can you justify its status as a literary prize-winner?

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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