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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. In the story "Weekend," what did George do for a living before retiring?

2. Which of Louise's relations is most strict about her food intake in the story, "The Fat Girl"?

3. Which of the following facts is NOT true of John Williams?

4. In the story "Fever," what is Carlyle's relationship status?

5. How does Sean react when he gets stuck in the elevator with the young man?

Short Essay Questions

1. What reason does Raymond Carver give about why he wanted to compose this collection of short stories?

2. Why does Daniel aggressively attack Noel in the story "The Amish Farmer"?

3. What part about Arty's life made him feel like a "Bystander"?

4. Why does Lenore comfort George at the end of the story "Weekend"?

5. Why has Earl taken to the road in "Rock Springs" and who does he take with him?

6. How does Louise's husband react when Louise gains weight during her pregnancy?

7. Why is Willi Varig hired to tell his story to an audience of people in the story, "Talk of Heroes"?

8. What interesting behavior does Damaso exhibit while in town in the story "The Fisherman From Chihuahua"?

9. What type of relationship does Carlyle form with Mrs. Webster in the story "Fever"?

10. What memory does Sean have of his father from when he was a 6 year old boy in the story "Midair"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

"Letters from the Samantha" tells the tale of a sea captain and his relationship with a giant ape. First, describe how the sea captain first came in contact with the giant ape and what his first response of the animal was. Then, explain why the captain's opinion of the giant ape suddenly changed? How did the relationship between the captain and the ape finally end? Which individual proved to have more menacing animal instincts? How can you tell? Be sure to include examples from the text that you believe strengthen your arguments.

Essay Topic 2

The story "Ile Forest," centers around one singular crime and the idea of man judging another man, or absolving him of his crimes. First, describe the crime that was committed in Ile's Forest. Who was involved? What was the outcome of the crime? Choose two characters from Ile's present life and describe how these two characters judged Ile for his crime. Were they willing to forgive him? Why or why not? In the end, do you think justice was served to Ile for his crimes? Why or why not? Be sure to include examples from the text that you strengthen your arguments.

Essay Topic 3

In the story "A Good Man is Hard to Find," the grandmother has an obsession with one article of clothing. First, describe that article of clothing and explain why it is so important to the grandmother. What does the grandmother think this item of clothing represents? Then, explain what happens to this article of clothing as the story progresses. How does the change in the clothing item represent the emotional and moral changes occurring in the grandmother's character? Be sure to include examples from the text that you believe strengthen your arguments.

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