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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. How does Bruce get home from his job?

2. What does Nola always need in her life?

3. What is now standing in the spot where the location in #86 had been?

4. Why does one of Bruce's father's customers leave early?

5. What does Bruce do as the crowd grows as he waits after work one night?

Short Essay Questions

1. What were Bruce's school years like?

2. Why does Bruce hate his father for his own sake?

3. What happens when the girl's boyfriend realizes that Bruce has gotten fresh with her?

4. Who are the two friends that Bruce recalls as he reminisces about his childhood?

5. Describe the humorous scenario of Bruce trying to outwit the elevator man in Nola's hotel.

6. What saddens Bruce as he walks the streets of Salt Lake City?

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

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

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

10. What two buildings does Bruce see that were important in his father's life?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Create a brief character study of Mr. Mason. What does he look like? What are his positive personality traits? What are some of his negative characteristics? What are his hopes and fears? What motivates him during his lifetime?

Essay Topic 2

Describe the setting at the beginning of the novel. Does the author paint a complete picture for the reader? What, if anything, is missing?

Essay Topic 3

The author begins the story in the present day and tells the story through a series of flashbacks. Why did he choose to tell his story this way? In what way is a flashback technique more interesting for a reader? In what ways is it more complicated?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 911 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample