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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 does the narrator do for a living?

2. What weather condition is mentioned frequently in the story?

3. Why does the narrator's landlord grin when he sees him?

4. What is written on the New Year's Eve cake?

5. What state is the girlfriend in when they arrive at the facility?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the character Frank Martin.

2. Does the narrator believe that "the guy who travels" actually travels?

3. Why is the narrator's girlfriend's son "mouthy"?

4. Why did the author choose the title "Where I'm Calling From"?

5. Why does Tiny stay at the facility?

6. How does J.P. act when he tells the story about his descent into alcoholism?

7. What does Joe Penny's name suggest?

8. Why is J.P. drawn to his wife when they meet?

9. Why does J.P. say the proprietor makes him feel like a "bug"?

10. Choose a character and explain why he or she is sympathetic.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The story explores J.P.'s wife's infidelity and his outraged reaction to it. Yet the narrator skims over the fact that he was unfaithful to his wife. What do the two examples of infidelity represent? Is J.P.'s wife's infidelity more noteworthy or unexpected than the narrator's? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

"Where I'm Calling From" was first published more than 25 years ago. If Raymond Carver were writing a story about addiction today, how might it be different?

Essay Topic 3

Nature imagery is prevalent in "Where I'm Calling From," as seen in frequent physical descriptions of place and climate and in the recurring theme of Jack London and his writing. Why did the author choose to emphasize nature? Could the story have been set in a city and pursued the same themes?

(see the answer keys)

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