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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 allusion is made concerning H2O's need to whip his adversary to death with his fly-wand in "Statistical Improbabilities"?

2. How does the editor say that the carp got into the parking lot "lake" one spring?

3. How long does Gus sleep for after he vomits his breakfast?

4. What does Gus say of devoted people in "Excerpts from the God-notebook"?

5. What is Ma's philosophy concerning death?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Gus describe his parents' relationship?

2. What is Izaak Walton's book about according to Ma? (Describe specific tales from it that she tells)

3. Why is Gus searching for the answer to death?

4. Why does Gus feel sorry for Sigrid the minnow he puts in his tank? What is he learning about himself through his feelings for her?

5. What do statistics mean to the angler?

6. What catches Gus completely off guard in his ideal setting and lifestyle?

7. What is Carolina's philosophy about the human fetus?

8. How does Gus differ from the other children?

9. What is the story of the Garbage Gut bass and why is catching him an anticlimax for Gus?

10. How does Gus believe that he became a fishing prodigy?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What role does Hemingway play in Gus's life? What does he add to the journey that Gus is on?

Essay Topic 2

Explain Henning's view of the world. Where do his understandings come from? How is his background different from Ma's? How does his view of the world affect his children?

Essay Topic 3

What does the raven symbolize at the end of the trek for Gus? Why does Gus take the trek? What does he learn? How does the trek change Gus?

(see the answer keys)

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