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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 month is it when Howard dies in Chapter 4?

2. What were Ed Titcomb and his friend doing when they came upon Howard in the woods in Chapter 3?

3. What word used to describe the Indian in Chapter 3 means relating to a former or more primitive type?

4. The term "moors" from the novel was used in Europe to describe what group of people?

5. What is Nikki Bocheki's profession?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is epilepsy? How was this disorder treated in the 1920s/1930s?

2. What is the last thing that George remembers before he dies in Chapter 4?

3. How did Howard's loss of his own father later influence his actions with his wife and children?

4. How is the disappearance of Reverend Crosby described in Chapter 3, Part 1? How does Howard's mother address the issue?

5. How would you describe the language style of Tinkers? Is the language easy to understand?

6. What hallucinations does Howard experience in Tagg Pond in Chapter 3, Part 2?

7. What regret does Howard display regarding his father in the beginning of Chapter 3?

8. What is symbolic about the descriptions of Reverend Crosby fading from Howard's vision in Chapter 3, Part 1?

9. How would you describe George's relationship with his family as he passes from life in Tinkers?

10. Where does Howard go to search for his father after Reverend Crosby's disappearance in Chapter 3?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss Kathleen’s mindset as she takes George to see the doctor in Chapter 2. What do you think Kathleen and Dr. Box are discussing when Kathleen cries? How does George respond to seeing his mother in a vulnerable state? How does Kathleen go about composing herself?

Essay Topic 3

Describe and analyze the characters of Reverend and Mrs. Crosby in Tinkers. How old are Rev. Crosby and Mrs. Crosby in Howard’s flashbacks to his father’s mental deterioration? What kind of relationship do they have with their son? What do you think are the causes of Reverend Crosby’s collapse?

(see the answer keys)

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