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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 color are Joel's eyes?

2. What does Nat tell Joel he hires?

3. How many writers are invited to the first event at Miles' house?

4. After being cheered up by Nat's story, what does Joel see that makes him wince?

5. Who is described as having "an eye as keen as the eye of a potato"?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the letter Stella sends to Joel.

2. What does Joel promise Stella before he leaves her house at the end of the story?

3. What is Joel pleased to see when he first arrives at Miles' home?

4. How does Stella make Joel feel important?

5. How does Joel react to the letter he receives from Stella?

6. What reason does Stella give for why Miles is not at the theater?

7. What reason does Miles give for why he no longer wants Stella and Joel to discuss the affair at June's house?

8. How does Miles die?

9. How does Joel feel when he thinks he does not get involved with Stella?

10. Why does Joel decide to put on a skit at the Calman house?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explore Joel's love for Stella. Does it seem sincere? What does he love about her? Use examples from the text to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Why is it significant that Stella refuses to believe Miles is dead? What does her refusal to believe say about her? If she truly loves Miles, why does she keep reaching out to Joel to comfort her?

Essay Topic 3

Look at the minor character Eva. What is her significance? Why is it important that she never speaks in the story? Given Eva's description--motherly, older, and wiser than Stella--why might Miles be attracted to her?

(see the answer keys)

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