View a FREE sample

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 "A View of the Woods," what does Mary Fortune tell her grandfather when he confronts her about Pitts' beatings?

2. In the story "The Comforts of Home," which of the following is not one of the suggestions Thomas makes for getting rid of Star?

3. In the story "Greenleaf," how does Mrs. May plan on trapping the bull?

4. In the story "Parker's Back," why does Parker's future wife hit him the first time they meet?

5. In "The Lame Shall Enter First," what does Rufus teach Norton about that angers Sheppard?

Short Essay Questions

1. In the story "Judgement Day," how does Tanner die?

2. In the story "The Enduring Chill," how does Dr. Block respond when Asbury tells him he cannot understand his illness?

3. In the story "Greenleaf," why does Mrs. May decide to have Mr. Greenleaf shoot the bull?

4. In the story "Judgment Day," how do Tanner's and his daughter's views on burial differ?

5. In the story "Parker's Back," what things does Parker say his wife does not approve of?

6. In the story "The Comforts of Home," what motivates Thomas' mother to help Star?

7. In the story "The Comforts of Home," what bothers Thomas about Star?

8. In the story "Greenleaf," how do the Greenleafs come to live on the May farm?

9. In the story "A View of the Woods," what does Fortune notice about the woods in front of the Pitts' home on the night before he sells the lot?

10. In the story "The Comforts of Home," why is Thomas mournful that his father has died but "had not been able to endure him in life"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

One of the themes in the collection of short stories "Everything That Rises Must Converge" is that of past vs. present. Select three of the stories dealing with this theme and:

1) explain what the story says about the past and the present;

2) demonstrate how the theme is developed in the story.

Then explain what you think Flannery O'Connor's overall commentary on past vs. present is in the novel as a whole.

Be sure to use specific examples from the stories to support your ideas.

Essay Topic 2

Several of the stories in this collection offer a commentary on charity. Select three of the stories in which this commentary is developed and:

1) explain what the stories say about charity;

2) demonstrate how the author develops this commentary in the story;

3) respond to the author's commentary--do you agree or disagree with her? Why?

Be sure to use specific examples from the stories to support your ideas.

Essay Topic 3

"Everything That Rises Must Converge" offers a commentary on aging. Select two of the stories dealing with aging characters and write an essay:

1) describing the aging characters;

2) explaining the significance of their age on the story's plot;

3) explaining what commentary you think the author is making on aging.

Be sure to use specific examples from the stories to support your ideas.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,070 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample