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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. In the end, what does Quoyle learn?

2. What is one thing Quoyle actually likes about Christmas?

3. For what reason is Quoyle called to St John's?

4. Why do Argentina and Paraguay refuse to play soccer in Peru?

5. Why is Quoyle called to the school?

Short Essay Questions

1. Comment on Jack Buggit's 'resurrection'.

2. From the description of it in this chapter, is it possible Quoyle would enjoy living in Nutbeem's trailer?

3. In what way has Quoyle reached a turning point in his life?

4. What is the outcome of Bunny's attack on the teacher?

5. Comment on the destruction of the green house on the point.

6. Contrast the growing relationship between Quoyle and Wavey with that each experienced with their previous partners.

7. In what way is the short scene involving his bath important to our understanding of Quoyle's inner journey?

8. For Quoyle, what are the outcomes of his misadventure with the 'speedboat'?

9. What convincing evidence is there in this chapter of Quoyle's aptness for the new life he is making at Killick-Claw?

10. What insight into Wavey and her friends, the Buggit family, is provided in this chapter?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Is anyone happy in THE SHIPPING NEWS?

1) Identify characters who might be described as happy and those who are not. Can you account for those states of mind? What does the novel tell us about the characters' dilemmas, crises and uncertainties?

2) Discuss the importance of happiness and unhappiness in the main plot of THE SHIPPING NEWS.

Essay Topic 2

'When I first read THE SHIPPING NEWS, I was captivated by Newfoundland and wished I could travel there and meet those eccentric characters.'

1) To what extent do you relate to this student's comment?

2) What are the overall qualities of the novel that would cause you to recommend it to a friend?

3) Can you justify its status as a literary prize-winner?

Essay Topic 3

THE SHIPPING NEWS is a novel rich in symbolism.

1) Discuss three significant symbols in the novel and comment on their importance for characterization and thematic development.

2) Does the author focus on one or more particular symbols and what does that add to our understanding of the main characters?

3) Are there specific symbols associated with particular characters?

4) What is the place of symbolism in readers' deeper appreciation of this or any other novel?

(see the answer keys)

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