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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. Which character 'sleeps as quiet as an eggbeater'?

2. How big is the iceberg Quoyle sees?

3. What visual effect does fog have, according to Billy?

4. Why is it claimed that biologists have visited the Tough Baby?

5. In what way is a nip important to a knot?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is indicated by the image of Quoyle looking at the horizon?

2. In what way is the aunt's reaction to the appearance of the distant Quoyle different from her nephew's?

3. Does Tert Card demonstrate the qualities required of a managing editor?

4. In what way is Bunny showing herself to be different from her father?

5. How does the aunt account for her wish to return to Newfoundland?

6. Account for Quoyle's cherished hope that he was, in fact, a changeling.

7. How does the aunt respond to Quoyle's doubt over his ability to do the job?

8. What is the significance of Agnis' relationship with Irene Warren?

9. What is Quoyle's attitude to Petal and her death?

10. How important is the rhythm of their new lives for Quoyle and his family?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In THE SHIPPING NEWS there is a range of events that can be classified as bizarre.

Discuss the use of the bizarre and unusual in THE SHIPPING NEWS. Is there any pattern in this? Is it linked to theme and/or character?

Focus on three bizarre incidents or characters and show how these are important for the novel as a whole. What is revealed or emphasized about choices, fortune and behavior?

Essay Topic 2

THE SHIPPING NEWS shows us a range of striking characters.

1) What are the usual ways in which writers represent important traits in the characters they create?

2) Choose two characters in THE SHIPPING NEWS and examine the way Annie Proulx reveals them to the reader/responder. What techniques does she employ to introduce and sustain characters? In what ways does she sustain the readers' interest in their lives?

Essay Topic 3

'The ocean is as much a character in this novel as is Quoyle.'

1) What techniques does the author use to give the impression that the sea is a character?

2) Discuss the way of the power of the sea and human responses to it, are represented in THE SHIPPING NEWS. In your answer, focus on two major characters and one secondary character.

(see the answer keys)

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