View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. When was "Under the Volcano" written?

2. Where does Yvonne want to go after visiting the consul?

3. To which alcohol does the consul briefly consider switching to after he has fallen down?

4. How does Yvonne feel when she returns to her home?

5. What event is happening when the novel beings?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is the consul sent away and stationed in his useless job in the small Mexican town where the novel takes place?

2. Why does Hugh decide to become a reporter?

3. Why is the letter significant that the mailman brings, from Yvonne to Laruelle, while Yvonne is there with Hugh and the consul?

4. When Yvonne has finally returned to their home, why does the consul initially think that she won't mind his drinking?

5. Why does Hugh feel that his youth is gone?

6. What two desires torment the consul?

7. What does the consul think and say about Yvonne's looks to her?

8. How does Yvonne react to seeing the consul when she returns to Quauhnahuac?

9. What mission did the consul complete successfully during his time in the British navy?

10. While the consul is at Quincey's, what telling diagnosis from the doctor reveals just how much of an alcoholic the consul is?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss at least three literary devices Lowry uses to convey that the novel is reaching its climax. Make sure to use direct evidence from the text to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 2

Which attraction is stronger in the consul: Yvonne or alcohol? (Keep in mind that there may be a difference between what the consul wants and what the consul is able to do, given his severe alcoholism.) Use direct evidence from the text to support your well-written argument.

Essay Topic 3

What ultimately kills the consul? Make sure to use direct, specific evidence from the text to support your strongly written thesis.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 719 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample