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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 else does Jim gloat about?

2. Eventually how does Norman come to feel about Jim?

3. Jim's stories bore Norman to the point of ___________________.

4. What form is the final communication Norman receives from Jim?

5. What does Jim invite Norman to do?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Norman agree to do by the end of the summer?

2. Why is Norman especially annoyed when Jim has an affair with a local woman?

3. Why does Norman make this decision?

4. What question does Jim not ask Norman at dinner?

5. What is Jim's complaint about the cooks?

6. How does Norman perceive Jim?

7. How is Jim's behavior at dinner?

8. Where is the location of the woods where Norman works?

9. What is Jim's wintertime job?

10. How does Norman perceive Jim's letters?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Why is Norman drawn to Bill Bell? What is it about Bill's personality and behavior that is appealing? Why do you think Bill is so blase about Norman? Do you think Norman senses this and tries all the harder to impress Bill? Why does Norman need to be liked so much?

Essay Topic 2

Maclean's stories in this collection are based on real-life characters whom Norman feels are larger than life, certainly larger than himself. What character traits does Norman have that the other characters do not? Why is he just as important to the stories as the other characters he seems to admire?

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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