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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. Who comes to Jacob's defense during his conversation with Uncle Al?

2. What does Rosemary help Jacob do next?

3. Where does Jacob sleep his first night in his new sleeping quarters?

4. What job does Jacob's new roommate have?

5. Why is class interrupted?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Jacob see outside the center's window?

2. Who comes to Jacob's defense? Why?

3. How many children does Jacob have?

4. What is Jacob studying in school? What are his plans after he gets his degree?

5. What news does Jacob receive in the days before his final exams?

6. With whom does Jacob have dinner the following night?

7. What does Jacob complain to the nurse about?

8. What does Camel promise Jacob?

9. Why does Jacob lose his appetite?

10. Why does Jacob not wish to sit at his regular table at mealtime?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What causes the stampede at the end of the novel? Is the stampede begun intentionally? How does Uncle Al die? Did this happen because of the stampede? Why is no one ever punished for Uncle Al's death? How are the stampede and the deaths of Uncle Al and August an example of circus life? Are these good examples? Would these deaths have occurred in another job or situation? Explain your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss Jacob's family. How does the death of Jacob's parents influence his decision to join the circus as a young man? How does the fact that his son forgot it was his day to visit influence Jacob into joining the circus the second time? What does Jacob's choice say about his state of mind? What do these choices say about Jacob's feelings toward his family, both as a young man and an old man?

Essay Topic 3

Why does Jacob decide to join the circus as a young man? Why does Jacob again choose to join the circus as an old man? What does Jacob, both young and old, hope to achieve by joining the circus? What does the circus mean to Jacob? Is joining the circus as an old man only about nostalgia? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 723 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample