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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. Into what does the musician dunk his hands?

2. What does Joe-Ben want to bag?

3. What special day is the day after the funeral?

4. This section begins with a reference to _________.

5. What does Hank do with the thermometer?

Short Essay Questions

1. Summarize the prologue that opens Chapter 8.

2. In what way are the Canadian geese in both Hank and Lee's thoughts?

3. Summarize the prologue that opens Chapter 11.

4. Why is Evenwrite worried about the rain?

5. Why does Lee refuse to get out of bed?

6. What is different about the novel's point of view?

7. Describe what happens at the Snag in Chapter 6, Part 2.

8. Describe Willard's phone call to Hank.

9. Summarize the prologue that opens Chapter 7.

10. What does Joe-Ben think about as he positions himself to eavesdrop on the town meeting?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

1) What is the premise of Sometime a Great Notion? Does Kesey keep to this premise throughout?

2) What would happen if he did not keep to the story's premise? Why do stories need a premise?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the values of 1960's America.

1) Why were individuality and family such an important issue during this time?

2) In what ways are the characters' negative characteristics a product of their time? Do you think America was going through a transitional phase in the 1960's? What significant changes do you think occurred during this period?

3) Does modern society share any values with 1960's America?

Essay Topic 3

Kesey was a big part part of the counterculture. Using two examples from the novel, discuss the ways the story reflects Kesey's political ideas?

(see the answer keys)

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