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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. Matthew describes Rory and Henry looking like melded elements in "The Forces are Displayed" (76). What elements does he describe combined?

2. Which of his brothers does Matthew describe as "the invincible one: The human ball and chain" in "Barbarians" (25)?

3. In what month did Penelope arrive in Australia?

4. How did Penelope break her nose on the night before her wedding?

5. What kind of flowers had been the favorite of the Dunbar boys' mother?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is the setting of The Surrounds described?

2. What is revealed in the letters Clay receives in Part 4?

3. How did Michael Dunbar first meet Abbey Hanley?

4. Where is Michael's home and the bridge site located? How is this setting described?

5. How did Penelope feel about emigrating from her childhood home? Why?

6. Who does "the Murderer" refer to and why does he come to the Dunbar home?

7. How did Penelope gain the nickname "The Broken-Nosed Bride"?

8. What pets do the Dunbars have? What is the significance of their names?

9. How did Michael propose to Penelope? How did she respond?

10. Where did Penelope go after fleeing the Eastern Bloc as a refugee?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analyze and discuss the character of Matthew Dunbar. How old is Michael in the prologue and epilogue of the novel? What are his relationships like with his brothers? How does he feel about his parents? How does Matthew's character evolve in the course of the story?

Essay Topic 2

Identify and discuss three examples of foreshadowing or red herrings in Bridge of Clay. What is the clue and what is foreshadowed? Does this example serve to create tension? Does it serve to develop humor?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the literary and mythological allusions in Bridge of Clay. What classical works are frequently referred to? What is their significance? How do these works connect to the overall themes of the novel?

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