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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. On page 29, the mountains are said to be "lording it over the surrounding country." This is an example of which literary technique?

2. Who is the frame narrator of "Rip Van Winkle"?

3. Why does Rip stop spending time with his friends?

4. From the description of Rip's attitude to his farm, on page 30, what can be deduced about Rip?

5. Where does Rip spend time with his friends?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the condition of Rip's children.

2. What do Rip and his friends do when they gather together outside the village inn, and how does this characterize Rip?

3. What relationship does Rip have with the village children, and how does it characterize him?

4. Explain what the frame narrative says about the historian who recorded Rip's story--where does his work come from, and how reliable is it?

5. Describe the condition of Rip's home and farm.

6. How is the setting of the Catskills described?

7. Describe how Rip's relationship with the dog contrasts with his wife's relationship with the dog.

8. Explain the relationship of Washington Irving, Diedrich Knickerbocker, and Geoffrey Crayon.

9. Describe the relationship between Rip and his wife.

10. Describe the contents of the story's epigraph and tell how this relates to the frame narrative.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay in which you analyze the use of stories attributed to indigenous cultures in the "Postscript." Be sure to use textual evidence to defend your claims, and if you use outside sources, be sure to cite them in MLA format.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay in which you analyze the thematic purpose of the "Note" at the end of the story. Be sure to use textual evidence to defend your claims.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay in which you analyze the use of the frame narrative in "Rip Van Winkle." Establish both how Irving employs the frame narrative and what you believe its purpose in this story is. Finally, analyze the impact of this rhetorical choice on Irving's success in conveying his theme. Be sure to offer textual support for your claims.

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