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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. The narrator says in Chapter 4, "The escapement on a clock consists of a collar on a pinion, called" what?

2. What word used in Chapter 3 means concerned with relatively minor, irrelevant, or superficial aspects of something?

3. What word used by Howard in Chapter 3 refers to a disgrace or humiliation?

4. The Zulu people that are mentioned in the novel are an ethnic group from where?

5. What word from Chapter 3 means characterized by length of speech or wordiness, or scattered?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the theme of competition apply to the characters and relationship of George and Howard Crosby in Tinkers?

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

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

4. Whom does George ask for when he awakens in Chapter 4, Part 1? Who is sitting with George?

5. How has Howard managed to track down George's address in Chapter 4? What does he do when he locates George?

6. How do George's memories of his father relate to the theme of rites of passage in Tinkers?

7. When is the last time George awakens before he dies? What does he relate after awakening?

8. Where does Megan go during the Christmas holidays in 1953? What does Howard do after she leaves?

9. What is the principle motif used throughout Tinkers? What does this motif represent?

10. How does Howard's medical condition change after he moves away and begins living under an alias?

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

Examine the theme of heartache in Tinkers. How does Howard perceive the feelings of heartache and loss that he feels each day? How does George perceive these feelings within himself? What does it say about George and Howard that they perceive pain so differently?

Essay Topic 3

Examine the theme of family in Tinkers. What do you think the term “family” means to each of the following characters: Howard, George, and Reverend Crosby? What does “family” mean to the female characters in the novel? How would you describe George’s relationship with his family as he lays dying in the contemporary storyline?

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