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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. Lottie says that a person can tell how a man feels about his wife by _____________________.

2. Charles attributes Lottie's family's hardships to _____________________.

3. What do Lottie and Betty do after Charles refuses to take them to town to window shop?

4. What happens to Sade after her husband's murder?

5. The women playing cards say nice things to Trudy about ________________________.

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What is Lottie's recurrent romantic fantasy and how does her real life differ from the dream?

3. According to Lottie, why is a man's name for his wife an indicator of her value to him?

4. How does the author show Lottie's true character, especially in the circumstances regarding Trudy?

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

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

7. What does Lottie do when Charles does nothing when a boy is killed at the mill?

8. Why is Lottie so ashamed about Betty's illness?

9. How does the author show that Charles is losing his rational mind?

10. Who does Lottie determine has killed Roy and why does she choose to keep quiet about it?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Project into the future ten years after the end of the novel and write a brief synopsis for Marjorie's life. Will the memories of her mother and grandmother still be such a powerful presence in her life? What is the nature of her relationships based on what she learned from her mother and grandmother?

Essay Topic 2

A CURE FOR DREAMS is a classic story of loss and renewal. What does that classification entail? Why does this novel fit into this category? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

The author uses several instances of foreshadowing in the story. Explain what foreshadowing is and cite at least two examples making sure to explain what makes each an instance of foreshadowing.

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