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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. To which of the following ancient tribes is the gypsy compared in the story "The Fisherman from Chihuahua"?

2. Which of the following was NOT a way Louise's roommate uses to support Louise in her weight loss goals?

3. What reason does George give to others who ask why his wife continues to stay with him?

4. How long does Mrs. Webster work for Carlyle before he notes a distinct change in his life?

5. In which of the following New York City boroughs did Sonny grow up?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Sonny blame his heroin addiction on?

2. What type of relationship do George and Lenore have in the story "Weekend"?

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

4. What prompts the narrator in "Sonny's Blues" to reach out to his incarcerated brother?

5. Why does Vance tell the story of "The Amish Farmer" to his high school English class?

6. Who is Push in the story "A Poetic for Bullies," and who is his sidekick?

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

8. What types of authors did Jenks and Carver seek to publish in this short story collection?

9. What unfortunate site does Willi witness in the story of the same name, and how does the young boy react to what he's seen?

10. What type of relationship does George have with his ex-students?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The story "Talk of Heroes" is the tale of wars, both personal and literal. Choose one character from this story who fought in a literal war and describe what happened to this character as a result of their experiences. Compare those experiences to the experiences of a character who fought in a personal war. What comparison do you think the author is trying to make about battles (either real or figurative) in one's personal life. Which is more dangerous? Which has disastrous effects? How can you tell? Be sure to include examples from the text that you believe help 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 of a Scar," the young man listening to the older woman's story constantly heckles the story and judges the woman before its completion. Choose at least two examples of moments in which the young man judged the older woman. What assumptions did he make about her before she had finished her story? Did his assumptions turn out to be true? Explain why or why not. Finally, describe how the young man reacted when the older woman's story was complete. Had his opinion of the woman changed or did it remain the same? Be sure to include examples from the text that you believe help to strengthen your arguments.

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