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. What health news does the narrator's girlfriend receive on Christmas Eve?

2. Where do the narrator and J.P. place their feet while sitting on the porch?

3. What is the narrator's first name?

4. How long were the narrator and his wife married?

5. Where on their bodies do many residents at the facility, including J.P., have cuts?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does the proprietor recommend "The Call of the Wild" to J.P. and the narrator?

2. Describe the character Frank Martin.

3. What do you think the narrator intends to say to his girlfriend besides "It's me" when he calls?

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

5. What does Roxy's name suggest?

6. How is the image of rain used in the story?

7. Give an example of hopefulness in the story.

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

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

10. Discuss how J.P.'s experience as a child in the well mirrors his experience as an adult alcoholic.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the contrasting symbolism of the well and the chimney.

Essay Topic 2

The themes of both despair and hope figure in "Where I'm Calling From." Is the story ultimately more hopeless or hopeful? Give examples to back up your opinion.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss why the author uses so many idiomatic expressions (for example, "batting the breeze," "over the hump")? How does the use of idioms reflect the themes of the story?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 852 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample