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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. Why does The Spooniad end abruptly?

2. What did Alfonzo Churchill find in his studies?

3. Who wrote an article on the intelligence of plants?

4. Who always had the face of a boy?

5. What stands on the lot where James Garber walked to work every day?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why might it be important to treat your friends and family well, according to Le Roy Goldman?

2. Herman Altman and Columbus Cheney introduce the idea of reincarnation to the Anthology. Does this fit in with the Anthology's theme of spiritual evolution? If so, how? If not, why not?

3. How was Lucinda Matlock able to deal with the deaths of eight of her twelve children?

4. What is one theme of the section beginning with Edmund Pollard and ending with Dippold the Optician?

5. What souls are in the section beginning with Zilpha Marsh and ending with Webster Ford?

6. What does the alligator rising out of the mud in Arlo Will's epitaph symbolize?

7. Why does Jefferson Howard challenge the liberal party in the planning meeting?

8. Many residents suffered greatly because of bad luck. Give at least one example of such a resident.

9. What does Lyman King say about Fate?

10. Give three examples of enlightened souls in the section beginning with Edmund Pollard and ending with Dippold the Optician.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain how Masters's use of poetry affects the reader's experience in reading "Spoon River Anthology". How would it be different if it were written in prose?

Essay Topic 2

Explain The Hill and its role in "Spoon River Anthology".

Essay Topic 3

Explain the theme of spiritual evolution in "Spoon River Anthology".

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