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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. Sade's husband has an affair after ___________________.

2. Who narrates the story in Chapter 1?

3. Who is Betty's father?

4. What is notable about the friendship between Betty and the person in #55?

5. Where is Charles' dead body found?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is anger Lottie's reaction to Charles' death?

2. How does Lottie anonymously make sure that Trudy gets credit in Porter's store?

3. Why does Lottie take back the meal she had brought for Trudy and her children?

4. Why is no serious investigation ever launched to determine Roy's murderer?

5. What is an easy way to differentiate the three characters in the book?

6. What is the connection that Betty draws between the Depression and infidelity and which of Lottie's friends is directly affected?

7. How does Lottie intervene in Sade's marriage regarding her cheating husband?

8. Describe how Charles and Lottie are so different from each other.

9. Describe Trudy's behavior when Lottie and Betty visit her home to welcome her to the community.

10. What is the premise of A CURE FOR DREAMS?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The story in A CURE FOR DREAMS is essentially told via flashbacks. What is a flashback? Why would an author choose to utilize a flashback in his work? Are there benefits to utilizing flashbacks when creating a work of fiction? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

Explain the ongoing conflict between Charles and Lottie. What are the main sources of the conflicts? Why does it perpetuate? Why does the conflict between Charles and Lottie occur shortly after their marriage?

Essay Topic 3

What is the overall setting setting for the novel? Be sure to include geography, time period and any pertinent popular culture events. Why did Gibbons choose to use these places in the novel?

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