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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 does Nick's father clean while mulling over the fight with the man?

2. Ad has some physical oddities such as a missing ear and __________________.

3. What happened when the farms were handed down to the Indians' children?

4. Where does Nick go in this story?

5. Who was Steve Ketchel?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the them in this story?

2. What two themes are evident in this story?

3. Where is Nick in this story and what is his interaction with a disgruntled fellow soldier?

4. Despite his being older, what fear still haunts Nick?

5. What stereotypes does Hemingway point out related to the peasants and the way the innkeeper refers to them?

6. What happened to the Indians, some of whom at one time were considered successful in the area?

7. How does Nick's fear of death exhibit again in this story?

8. How is Nick's demeanor in this story uncharacteristic of his usual calm manner?

9. How does Hemingway show the stereotype of a good wife?

10. Is Nick realistic in thinking that he can rekindle the relationship with Marjorie, especially in light of discussions he has had with Bill on the topic?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe how Hemingway is a master at character study in "The End of Something" when Nick and Marjorie break up. What body language does Hemingway give the characters? What does their dialogue reveal about how they are feeling?

Essay Topic 2

In "The Three-Day Blow," Nick likens his behavior of breaking up with Marjorie to the storms that are called Three-Day Blows. What is meant by a Three-Day Blow? Why does Nick compare his actions to it? Is he being reasonable or just trying to justify his behavior?

Essay Topic 3

War is a recurring theme in some of the Stories in the book. How are killing and war perceived by the young men when it seems like sport at first? How do the perceptions change when they are seriously wounded, as Nick is? How do they manage the aftermath of war and the personal toll it takes on them?

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