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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 career change is Ray interested in pursuing?

2. Why did Dr. Symes disturb the peace at a church service?

3. What is Dr. Symes' latest plan for Jeans Island?

4. What does Dr. Symes' mother think is wrong with him when she first sees him?

5. What type of establishment did Dr. Symes' mother open on Belize?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Ray go about finding the location of Guy's family's farm?

2. What does Mrs. Symes believe about her son when she sees him and why will she not give the land in Louisiana to him?

3. Who is Ski and why is Dr. Symes trying to avoid him?

4. Who is Webster Spooner and how does Ray meet him?

5. Why does Ray change his mind about riding with Jack to find Norma and Guy?

6. What is Dr. Symes most recent plan for Jeans Island?

7. How does Ray determine where Guy has probably taken Norma?

8. What were some of Dr. Symes' past schemes according to his mother?

9. How is Ray Midge tracking his wife's travels?

10. Why is Ray forced to use some of Dr. Symes' money at the hotel?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Create a brief character study of Norma Midge. What does she look like? What are her positive personality traits? What are some of her negative characteristics? What are her hopes and fears? What motivates her during his lifetime?

Essay Topic 2

Compare and contrast Ray and Guy. Both men want influence over Norma but have their hold on her in very different ways. Why are their differences classic examples of conflict in drama? What other similarities and dissimilarities are there between the two characters?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss Portis' writing style. How is he different from other writers of his time? What are some of his characteristic writing techniques? Identify some examples of his classic style in "The Dog of the South".

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This section contains 918 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample