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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. Who is Sam's mother in the novel?

2. What is the name of Howard's family's dog in Chapter 2?

3. What is the name of the bootlegger that Howard sells five gallons of homemade whiskey for as an odd job?

4. What does Howard give the hermit to drink before he pulls his tooth in Chapter 1?

5. What does George put the wrapped dead mouse inside of in Chapter 2?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is ironic about George's role within his family, as illustrated in Chapter 2, Part 2?

2. What does the doctor say after examining George's injury in Chapter 2, Part 2?

3. How would you describe Kathleen's perspective in the story? What are Kathleen's feelings about her family?

4. How does George become injured when he witnesses his father's seizure in Chapter 2, Part 1?

5. Who is George's father in the narrative? What did George's father do for a living?

6. How is the natural phenomenon of lightning used as a metaphor in Chapter 1?

7. How does Howard find George after he's run away from home in Chapter 2, Part 2? What are his thoughts upon finding his son?

8. How is Kathleen's behavior described when Howard Crosby arrives home late after having a seizure in Chapter 1, Part 2?

9. How does the author go about illustrating the opposite natures of George and Howard in Chapter 2?

10. What does Howard witness George doing with a dead mouse in the woods in Chapter 2, Part 1?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Examine the theme of family in Tinkers. What do you think the term “family” means to each of the following characters: Howard, George, and Reverend Crosby? What does “family” mean to the female characters in the novel? How would you describe George’s relationship with his family as he lays dying in the contemporary storyline?

Essay Topic 2

Analyze and discuss the character of Kathleen in Tinkers. How does George’s relationship with his mother differ from his relationship with his father? How is Kathleen’s attitude described by the narrator? What kind of relationship does Kathleen have with her husband?

Essay Topic 3

Analyze and discuss the character of Howard Aaron Crosby in Tinkers. How is Howard perceived by his wife and children? How does the narrator describe Howard’s seizures? In what ways is Howard similar to George? How is he different?

(see the answer keys)

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