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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. Who speaks often of the tragedy?

2. What do Norman and Mr. Maclean talk about while watching Paul fish?

3. Instead of returning to the cabin, where do Norman and Paul spend the night?

4. What happens to humiliate Paul?

5. Why does Paul invite Norman to stay the night at his house?

Short Essay Questions

1. Which of the two brothers is the better fisherman?

2. What favor does Norman ask of his brother, Paul?

3. Why does Norman not remain to fish with Neal?

4. Who are the two brothers in the story?

5. What is the occupation of Norman and Paul's father?

6. What is Reverend Maclean's second passion after religion?

7. Where do Norman and Paul escape from Norman's family problems a few days later?

8. Neal declares that he wants to fish but what does he do instead?

9. What is Norman's reaction to the phone call?

10. Why does Paul try to avoid Norman?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain the irony in the situation of the cook losing all his money after he has cheated to win it in the poker game. All through the story the cook has been rude and disdainful to Norman, yet it is Norman who finds the cook beaten and broken in an alley and gives him all the money he has. What does it say about Norman's character that he can rise above the difficulties he has experienced with the cook and act like a good human being? Would the cook have done the same for Norman? Explain your position.

Essay Topic 2

Why does Norman find Jim Grierson to be such a repugnant character? What is known about Jim and Norman's backgrounds which may indicate the huge conflict in their personalities? Jim is probably intelligent because he reads all the time and he is crafty enough to make extra money, so where is the disconnect for Norman as far as Jim is concerned? Support your answer with examples.

Essay Topic 3

Neal and Paul's alcoholism seem starkly out of place in the pristine region of the Blackfoot River area. Explain the irony of the personal angst set against this breathtaking backdrop. Also explain why personal problems can happen even in the most beautiful of locations.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 676 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample