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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 is the purpose of the item that Larry hangs on the wall?

2. In what month does Part 1: Chapter 8 begin?

3. In what department does Larry teach at the university?

4. What type of building does Charity's father have in the woods?

5. What concerns Sally about her appearance?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens that gives Larry a bad premonition?

2. What are the plans for Larry's day?

3. Explain how Sid and Sally seem to have similar character traits.

4. Compare Sid and Larry's views on what constitutes good writing.

5. In spite of their challenges, what is the state of Larry and Sally's marriage?

6. How does Sid feel about his teaching job?

7. How are Sid and Charity described?

8. What do Larry and Sally learn about Charity as she talks?

9. Who is the dominant person in each of the two marriages?

10. How does Charity attempt to manage Sid's career?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the state of Sid's barn wood shop and home office. How does the state of his rooms mirror the state of his spirit? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

The author begins the story in the present day and tells the story through a series of flashbacks. Why did he choose to tell his story this way? In what way is a flashback technique more interesting for a reader? In what ways is it more complicated?

Essay Topic 3

The theme of rescue will be an important one in the novel. How does the author begin to build this theme? Give examples of rescues throughout the book.

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