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This test consists of 5 short answer questions and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Rod try to shoot to lessen the damage to the mine?

2. Who puts his hand on Hettie's thigh after the fight her husband has?

3. What is necessary for Rod's mission?

4. When Rod leaves for a meeting, who greets him?

5. What does Rod order King to blast?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Smith discusses both sexuality in detail, contrasting single and married couples in "Gold Mine." Find some examples in the book and discuss the effect of these topics on the characters of Rod and Manfred.

Essay Topic 2

Greed is a theme Smith introduces in "Gold Mine". What does this phrase mean? How does it relate to mining and wealth? What does Smith ultimately say about the desire for wealth through the characters of Rod, Manfred, Hirschfield, and Kowalski and what is the importance of this discovery and the characters' role? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

Power in society is a prevailing theme of "Gold Mine". Smith frequently refers to this theme, painting the picture of two worlds that are struggling for power and survival. How does power relate to having gold or wealth? Which characters appear honest and which appear corrupt and why? Which characters appear to rise above corruption even if they were initially vulnerable to it? What is your opinion of the society that Smith describes? Explain.

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This section contains 250 words (approx. 1 page at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample