View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does the author envision Kirkwood like in "The Volunteer"?

2. How old was the author when he first saw the movie The Exorcist, according to his narrative in "Scat"?

3. Where does the author describe going to municipal court for tresspassing in "Ambiguous Signage Sometimes"?

4. Where does the author describe his grandfather taking him and his friend for dinner in "The Carport"?

5. The author describes the Asian Market in Levittown, Pennsylvania, as being at the corner of Durham and what street in "Botan Rice Candy"?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the author remark about the writing of Jamaica Kincaid in "My Garden (Book)"?

2. What similes and metaphors are seen in "The Purple Cornets of Spring"?

3. What movie is described in "Filling the Frame"? How does the author describe this film?

4. How does the author describe his mother's demeanor in "Judith Irene Gay, Aged Seventy-six Today!"?

5. How is the word "jenky" defined and illustrated in "The Jenky"?

6. What event is central in "An Abundance of Public Toilets"? Why does the author find delight in this occasion?

7. What is bindweed? How is it described in "Bindweed... Delight?"

8. What statue is described in "Flowers in the Hands of Statues"? How is it described?

9. How is the man on the bike described in "Touched"?

10. What trees are discussed in "Understory"? What do they symbolize?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the author's language style in The Book of Delights. How does the language flow? Does the author employ assonance, alliteration, or onomatopoeia? Is there a rhythm to the prose?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the concepts of masculinity and femininity as explored in The Book of Delights. How has the author's views and perceptions changed in regard to sexual roles in society? How does he use symbolism to help illustrate these themes? What is his central statement regarding sexual or gender bias?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the author's explorations of nature in The Book of Delights. What are examples of nature that are highlighted in the essays? What do they symbolize? How does the author connect delight with nature and gardening?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 779 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample