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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 are Tom's political aspirations?

2. According to the author, the story of Wing is the story of what?

3. What does Joe do for a living?

4. How does Tom describe Elizabeth's figure?

5. What part of his health concerns the writer?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the drunken stranger say about women and love to Tom and Tandy?

2. How does Elmer feel about his family?

3. What is the relationship between Helen and the instructor in "Sophistication"?

4. The day that Kate is not in her room in "The Strength of God", what is the Reverend's sermon about?

5. In "Paper Pills", how are the tall, dark girl's suitors different?

6. Why is Joe planting grass seed?

7. Why is George careful when he counts his money on the train?

8. Why does George go to Belle's house?

9. Why does Tom and his grandmother move to Winesburg?

10. Why is Reverend Curtis' sermon different after the first time he sees Kate?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Select two stories that feature the same character (other than George Willard). How is the character represented in each story? What is the character's role? Is there any growth in the character? What accounts for these differences? What does this character mean to the novel overall?

Essay Topic 2

Some readers describe "Winesburg, Ohio" as being amoral. What supports the lack of morality in this novel? Do you agree with this description? Why/why not?

Essay Topic 3

The format of "Winesburg, Ohio" is unique. How does this format help Anderson convey his message about the people of Winesburg? Is this an effective device? How does the format help or hurt the stories of these characters?

(see the answer keys)

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