View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What happens in the middle of the night?

2. Who arrives at the train station a few days later?

3. How do Norman and Mr. Maclean react after the tragedy?

4. Who catches the most fish on this day?

5. Who does Neal's family think should take the blame for Neal's condition?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

5. Who goes on the fishing trip the next morning?

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

7. Why does Norman's mother-in-law enlist Norman's help on Neal's behalf?

8. Where do the two brothers go fishing?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Norman never does achieve the level of esteem he hopes for from Bill. Does this have anything to do with Norman's choice not to return to Bill's crew the following summer? Or does Norman just want to expand his skill sets by working in a different area? Why would Bill ask Norman to return if he did not like him? Compare and contrast what Bill and Norman were looking for from each other.

Essay Topic 2

Norman and Mr. Maclean feel powerless to help Paul rid alcohol from his life. Explain what Norman and Mr. Maclean could have done to help Paul. What sources of support are available today for alcoholics that were not available at the beginning of the twentieth century? Do you think that Mrs. Maclean quietly tried to help Paul and ended up enabling him instead?

Essay Topic 3

Do you feel that Norman is drawn to Bill Bell because Bill is a father symbol to Norman? Norman is seventeen years old and has his own father with whom he has a good relationship so why is Bill's opinion of him so important to Norman? Is Norman's age and inexperience a factor in Norman's feelings? Does he still need the approval of an older male figure, regardless of the circumstances? Explain your opinions.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 608 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample