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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 does Harry call Jane at the end of the story?

2. What does Jane need help with?

3. When the narrator of Lust gets in trouble for sexual activity on school grounds, where is it suggested that she go from then on?

4. What is the name of the man who warns Ellen about Nicholas?

5. Why does Duer move out of state?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Lil's interactions at the party she attends.

2. Describe a symbol from the story City Night.

3. Describe the character of Duer.

4. According to the story Lunch with Harry, what are European values?

5. What effect does Tim's break up with his girlfriend have on Liz and Owen's relationship?

6. What is the purpose of the narrator's first person perspective in Blow?

7. What is the relevance of the title Sparks?

8. Describe the concluding scene in Lunch with Harry.

9. What does the title in the story Blow refer to?

10. Describe the character development in City Night.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What significance does Susan Minot put on tone? What tones are used in the stories, and how is this tone created? Write about three stories and the tone used in them.

Essay Topic 2

What is the purpose behind using an unnamed narrator to tell a story? Why did the author choose not to name many of the characters? What message do you think she was trying to send?

Essay Topic 3

How is dialogue used to advance some of the stories in this collection? What purpose does Susan Minot give to dialogue?

(see the answer keys)

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