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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. Who is claiming to be an admiral?

2. Which famous French artist does the narrator claim to know personally?

3. Where do Arthur and Lee live?

4. What does Lionel promise his mother recently?

5. What are the flashes of light the narrator ignores on his walk on the last day of training?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is the narrator so taken with Sister Irma?

2. Why does Lionel cry when he throws the key chain overboard?

3. Why is Sandra so worried about Lionel when he runs away in Down at the Dinghy?

4. Why does Sister Irma withdraw from classes at the art school?

5. Why is it ironic that the school closes down for not having a business license?

6. What happens to the narrator after he leaves the training course?

7. Why does the narrator lie in his lengthy application letter to the art school in Montreal?

8. Why does Arthur call Lee back and pretend Joanie is finally home?

9. What does Arthur do for a living? How does the reader know?

10. Why is the narrator so taken by Esme?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is the strongest theme in Nine Stories? Why does it leave such a lasting impression? Use specific examples from the book to explain your opinion.

Essay Topic 2

Why does the narrator in De Daumier-Smith's Blue Period feel the need to lie about so many details in the letter of application for the art teaching position? Explore the reasons why he continues the lies upon arrival as well.

Essay Topic 3

What do we learn about World War II throughout Nine Stories? Why is it such a prevalent theme throughout this collection of short stories?

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