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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 J.P. carry to work in a thermos?

2. What is the physical appearance of J.P.'s wife, according to the narrator?

3. Why does the narrator say he needs to talk to his wife?

4. Where do the narrator and his girlfriend decide to have Christmas dinner?

5. On the drive to the facility after dinner, what do the narrator and his girlfriend drink?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Roxy's name suggest?

2. What is the significance of New Year's Eve in the story?

3. What is the plot of "To Build a Fire," the story the narrator remembers reading?

4. Give of an example of how the narrator practices avoidance.

5. Why does the author keep mentioning the coal bucket?

6. Chimney sweeping is an uncommon job. Why would the author choose it?

7. How do the narrator's two trips to the treatment facility differ?

8. What are the signs that J.P. is making a recovery?

9. Give one example of a character in the story being self-deprecating.

10. Why is the narrator so enthralled by J.P.'s stories?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The narrator describes J.P. as "first and foremost a drunk. But he's also a chimney sweep." Why does the narrator include both aspects of J.P.'s identity? How does this reflect one of the story's themes?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the contrasting symbolism of the well and the chimney.

Essay Topic 3

Compare how humility and arrogance are used in the story.

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