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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 proprietor say to the other men about Tiny after he has fallen?

2. On one occasion, how does J.P. physically injure his wife?

3. What time of day is it when J.P. begins telling stories to the narrator?

4. How does Tiny fall at the beginning of the story?

5. Where do J.P. and his wife go on subsequent dates?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does the narrator use the term "drunk" instead of "alcoholic"?

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

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

4. Why does the proprietor get a cake for New Year's Eve?

5. Give an example of sarcasm in the story.

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

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

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

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

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

How do compassion and forgiveness figure into the story?

Essay Topic 2

Describe the different ways in which physical vulnerability figures into the story and why.

Essay Topic 3

Compare how humility and arrogance are used in the story.

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