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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. Norma tells Ray that Dupree was trying to connect with two people who were __________________.

2. Who lived on the Dupere Livestock farm?

3. Why did the photographers have conflict with Guy?

4. What is the symbolic turning point in Ray's life?

5. What does Ray find destroyed at the Tabernacle?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Ray's style of planning for the future?

2. What had happened to Jack after he and Ray parted company?

3. How do Ray and Norma return to the States, and what is the tone of their trip?

4. What is Ray's plan to get some money when he cannot get a loan from either Dr. Symes or Melba?

5. What is Dr. Symes' new plan for the island after he discovers some of his mother's insurance checks?

6. What is the irony of Ray's trip to Belize given the current state of his marriage to Norm?

7. How does Ray encounter Jack Wilkie once again?

8. What is Ray's plan with the two boys to gain entrance into Guy's house?

9. What possibility about the situation with Norma has Ray not considered?

10. What dire news does Ray receive when he returns to the Tabernacle in town?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How does Portis use the literary technique of local color in "The Dog of the South"? What elements comprise local color? Give some examples of the local color in Belize establishments, in the characters, and in the events.

Essay Topic 2

Betrayal seems to be almost an unnamed character in the book. How pervasive is the sense of betrayal? Why does it have such a prevalent place in Ray's life? Explain how an inanimate object or characteristic can be a character.

Essay Topic 3

Project into the future ten years and write a brief synopsis for Ray's life. Be sure to include emotional states as well as physical characteristics, geographic locations, work, hobbies, and socialization. Will Norma ever return? Will he still be taking college courses?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 922 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample