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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 three things does J.P. mention hearing from the bottom of the well?

2. How long were the narrator and his wife married?

3. How are meals announced at the facility?

4. Whom does the narrator try to call on New Year's Eve?

5. What landscapes are mentioned throughout the story?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the significance of the way Roxy is dressed on New Year's Day?

2. Choose a character and explain why he or she is sympathetic.

3. Give one example of a character in the story being self-deprecating.

4. What is the significance of mentioning the razor nicks on J.P.'s and other residents' faces?

5. Why does the narrator remember the story of the landlord painting?

6. Give an example of sarcasm in the story.

7. How does the story show the progression of alcoholism?

8. How does J.P. treat his wife?

9. How is friendship presented in the story?

10. Give of an example of how the narrator practices avoidance.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Nature imagery is prevalent in "Where I'm Calling From," as seen in frequent physical descriptions of place and climate and in the recurring theme of Jack London and his writing. Why did the author choose to emphasize nature? Could the story have been set in a city and pursued the same themes?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss why the author uses so many idiomatic expressions (for example, "batting the breeze," "over the hump")? How does the use of idioms reflect the themes of the story?

Essay Topic 3

Does the narrator love his wife and his girlfriend? How can you tell?

(see the answer keys)

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