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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. Norman and Paul's father is as passionate about _____________________ as he is about religion.

2. What kind of personality does Norman's brother-in-law have?

3. Why does Norman feel he cannot help Paul?

4. Why are Jessie and her mother tending to Jessie's brother?

5. What does Jessie encourage Norman to do with the answer to #22?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How does Norman react to Neal's arrival a few days later?

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

4. What do Norman and Paul receive in the form of sermons from their father?

5. Who arrives to surprise Norman and Paul at the cabin?

6. What happens one night after Norman and Paul spend the day fishing?

7. Who are the two brothers in the story?

8. Where do the two brothers go fishing?

9. What do Norman and Paul find when they return to the spot where they left the car?

10. On what is the story based?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Norman is able to quickly discern the situation regarding Neal's problem with alcohol but it takes Neal's family a little longer. How does Neal's family enable Neal's behavior? How do they finally address the problem? Will Neal ever own his own life and do what he needs to to turn it around?

Essay Topic 2

Describe the irony in Norman's being punished and sent to a mountaintop location with spectacular vistas. Does Bill know that Norman will not be especially industrious on the mountaintop? Is the lesson one in which Norman is supposed to meditate on his mistakes and emerge with a different point of view? By opening up Norman's vistas, is Bill also opening up his mind and attitude?

Essay Topic 3

Explain the symbolism of Norman's ritual of bathing in the river each night after the days spent with Jim. How do you think Norman's days begin? Do you think he can almost feel the grime of Jim's lifestyle rubbing off on him as he spends time with him each day? As far as Norman is concerned, does the river have enough water to wash away the residue of being near Jim Grierson?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 694 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample