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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. Why does Buford Munson bury Francis when he finds him, passed out drunk?

2. Where does the first truck driver tell Francis he belongs when he drops him off at the side of the road?

3. How does Francis react when Rayber tells him that he considered drowning Bishop when he was born?

4. According to Meeks, what does H.L.L stand for?

5. What does Francis drink until he is drunk after Mason's death?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Mason's neighbor, Buford Munson, react when he hears that Mason is dead?

2. What conversation does Francis have with Meeks right after Mason dies?

3. What is Francis' initial reaction when he meets his cousin, Bishop?

4. Who is Lucette, and what impact does she have on Rayber when the meet?

5. How does Francis prove his difficult nature to Rayber after moving in with him?

6. What type of interaction does Francis have with the first truck driver that picks him up from the side of the road?

7. Why does Francis fear having to bury his uncle at the opening of the story,"The Violent Bear it Away"?

8. How does Bishop die?

9. What event at the science museum jars Rayber into remembering his own religious childhood?

10. How did George Rayber go deaf?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the story "Revelation", Mrs. Turpin's favorite past time is organizing groups of people into a hierarchy. First, describe the hierarchy that Mrs. Turpin creates when she is sitting in the doctor's office with Claud. Who is at the top of this ladder? Who is at the bottom? Then, compare / contrast this hierarchy to the hierarchy Mrs. Turpin sees in her final revelation. Who is at the top of this ladder? Who is at the bottom? Finally, describe Mrs. Turpin's emotional reaction to her revelation of Heaven. How do you think this revelation will change the way Mrs. Turpin views the world and the people in it? Be sure to include examples from the text to help strengthen your arguments.

Essay Topic 2

When she is getting read to disembark the bus in the story "Everything that Rises Must Converge," Julian's mother attempts to give young Carver a penny, much to the rage of his mother. First, explain why Julian's mother hoped to give young Carver a penny. Then, describe Carver's mother's reaction to the gift. Why did she react so violently? Do you think Carver's mother overreacted to the gift? Why or why not? Finally, explain how Carver's mother's reaction echoes the anger and promises of the growing civil rights movement from the time. Be sure to include examples from the text to strengthen your arguments.

Essay Topic 3

On several occasions in the story "The Violent Bear it Away," Francis has conversations with a voice that is first called a "stranger" and then a "friend." First, describe who / what you think this voice intended to represent? Is it Francis' inner self against which he is arguing? Then, explain what advice Francis' inner voice gives to him. Do you think Francis is receiving good advice from the voice? Why or why not? Finally, at the end of the story, the voice tells Francis to, "Go warn the children of God of the terrible speed of mercy." What do you think is the significance of these words? Do you think Francis listens to this advice? How can you tell? Be sure to include examples from the text to help strengthen your arguments.

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This section contains 1,225 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample