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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 instrument did the girl in #11 play?

2. What job does Bruce recall having when he was a boy?

3. To what city does Bruce travel to plan his aunt's funeral?

4. What messy substance does Bruce gather for the project?

5. What does the breeze from the mountain remind Bruce of?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Bruce find amusing about the building the funeral home is housed in?

2. Describe the situation in which Bruce touches a girl's breast for the first time.

3. What were Bruce's school years like?

4. Why is Bruce disappointed in his mother?

5. What does Bruce learn about the phone number given to him by the funeral director?

6. What two items does the funeral director give Bruce before he leaves?

7. Who are Holly and Nola and what prompts Bruce to think of them?

8. What messy school project does Bruce recall and how did his father harass him?

9. What prompts Bruce to think of Jack Bailey and what does he recall regarding Jack being a cad with women?

10. How does Bruce distinguish between Young Bruce and Mature Bruce?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain the concept of loneliness as it exhibits in the story. Which of the characters are lonely? Are they all lonely in some way? Explain the loneliness and the methods and attempts to overcome it.

Essay Topic 2

Describe Bruce. Begin with his physical characteristics and extend into his personality and behavioral traits. What is Bruce's role in his family? What is it about Bruce that men in authority want to help him achieve a brighter future?

Essay Topic 3

Project into the future ten years and write a brief synopsis for Bruce's life. Be sure to include emotional states as well as physical characteristics, geographic locations, work, hobbies, and socialization. Will he ever return to Salt Lake City?

(see the answer keys)

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