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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 historic people does Howard think of as he watches George set aflame the funeral pyre for the mouse in Chapter 2?

2. How many hours before he dies does George ask for a shave?

3. What word is used in Chapter 1 to refer to angels?

4. What is the name of Howard's supplier for trade items?

5. What is the name of the nineteen-year-old who has Howard cut his hair in Chapter 1?

Short Essay Questions

1. What "odd jobs" of Howard Crosby's are described in Chapter 1?

2. How would you describe George's relationship to animals and nature based upon his actions in Chapter 2?

3. What relationship does George Washington Crosby have with clocks in the novel? How did this relationship begin?

4. Where does George go when he runs away from home in Chapter 2, Part 2? What does he take with him?

5. How would you describe the differences between George and Howard Crosby in terms of their successes in life?

6. How does the setting change in Chapter 1 when George's family leaves him to prepare lunch?

7. How does the author go about illustrating the opposite natures of George and Howard in Chapter 2?

8. Who is George's father in the narrative? What did George's father do for a living?

9. What memories of George's are described "one hundred and sixty-eight hours" before George's death in Chapter 1?

10. How does George become injured when he witnesses his father's seizure in Chapter 2, Part 1?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe and discuss the nonlinear aspects of Tinkers. When and where in the story does the narrative go back and forward through time? Why does the author make these abrupt shifts? Why do you think the author chooses not to delineate the transitions in the narrative and time period?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the themes of abandonment and loss in Tinkers. How does Howard’s sense of loss over his father later influence his own actions? How does Howard’s loss compare with George’s? Do these losses build upon one another?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the character of Cullen in the novel. What is Cullen’s business relationship to Howard Crosby? How would you describe Cullen’s business practices? Do you think that Howard gives a fair assessment of Cullen? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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