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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 thought does the "Diamonds" narrator say he had after his cat died?

2. It is reasonable to infer that for the "Diamonds" narrator, the most depressing part of the unusually harsh winter is what?

3. On page 171, the "Diamonds" narrator describes his "long, hortatory riffs." What would these be?

4. What does Eli tell the barman when they are outside having a cigarette?

5. In Doran's opinion, what has kept him from going to the funeral?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Arm's attitude toward his son?

2. Why does the narrator of "Diamonds" need to rely on his former school principal once he is in Glanbeigh?

3. What do the narrator and Siobhán see as they are driving down the quay road, and what is Siobhán's reaction?

4. Who are the two people that Arm calls when he reaches Ballintober, and why does he call them?

5. What evidence is there that the narrator in "Diamonds" is determined to overcome his alcohol abuse?

6. What are Arm and Dympna doing in the opening of "Calm With Horses"?

7. Why does Arm's son not live with him?

8. What is Hector and Paudi's response to the situation with Fannigan?

9. Who is Siobhán Maher, and how does she recognize the narrator of "Diamonds"?

10. What does Arm tell Hector he wants from Maire, and why does he want it?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The Mule River appears in several of the stories in Young Skins. Write an essay that makes and defends a claim about the symbolic significance of the river as a setting in the anthology, using textual evidence from at least four stories to support your ideas.

Essay Topic 2

The first five pieces in the anthology center on characters who have chosen to stay in Glanbeigh. The Last two focus on characters who have chosen to leave, but who end up coming home, at least temporarily, when they run into trouble in the wider world. Write an essay that makes and defends a claim about the thematic idea being advanced by this structure. Use evidence from at least two stories in the first section of the book and evidence from both of the stories in the latter section as you defend your claim.

Essay Topic 3

Write and essay that makes and defends a claim about the symbolic significance of the children playing at the bridge in "The Clancy Kid." Use textual evidence to support your ideas.

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