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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 is the name of Lanford's home?

2. How many children does Ebbett have?

3. Who are Gloria and Kitty?

4. Why does Angus decide not to hire Ruth as a sternman in Chapter 4?

5. What is noted about Lanford's eyes when Ruth sees him at the end of Chapter 3?

Short Essay Questions

1. How do Stan and Mary meet? What do they think of one another when they first meet?

2. Who is Cal Cooley?

3. Describe the scenery along Ellis Road.

4. Who is Ebbett Thomas?

5. What do Simon and Webster look for at Potter Beach in Chapter 2 and why?

6. Why does Ruth flee to Rhonda's in Chapter 5? What is Rhonda doing when Ruth arrives?

7. Why is Ruth sent to Delaware? How does she feel about this move?

8. What nationalities have married one another to create a distinctive population on these islands?

9. What does Ruth do after graduation?

10. How are the men on the islands described?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analyze the urban versus rural theme of the novel. How does Gilbert illustrate this theme? How does this theme relate to other themes and motifs of the novel? How are the urban settings depicted? How are the rural settings depicted?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the love and romance found in the novel, particularly the relationship between Ruth and Owney. How do they meet? What is Ruth's first impression of Owney? What is the status of their relationship by the end of the novel?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the author of the novel "Stern Men", Elizabeth Gilbert. What are some of the other works she has written? Compare the themes of these other works to "Stern Men".

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