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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. With whom does Mary Ann go trick or treating?

2. After the movie, where does Norman take Mary Ann?

3. When does Edgar tell Mrs. Madrigal that he will arrive at her party?

4. What does Norman bring Mary Ann on the morning after Vincent's suicide?

5. After returning home from a gospel church, what happens to Mona?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Vincent take Mary Ann into account when he decides how to kill himself?

2. What happens when Mona tells Michael that she is moving out?

3. Where does DeDe go for a transformation?

4. What do Mona and D'orothea argue about after Mona already moved in with D'orothea?

5. Briefly summarize what happens to Brian at the Treasure Island Trailer Court.

6. What does the reader learn about the two characters when Brian talks with Michael in the courtyard while Michael is tanning before the contest?

7. Explain how DeDe's decision to have the baby marks the climax of her transformation.

8. How does Norman Neal Williams find out that Mrs. Madrigal used to work in a book store?

9. What happens to Mary Ann when she and Norman are in Chinatown after the movie?

10. Discuss DeDe's dilemma with regards to her pregnancy.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How does the author build on the mystery surrounding the character of Mrs. Madrigal? What do readers know about her? What do we not know? How does the author use other characters to reveal pieces of the puzzle surrounding Mrs. Madrigal's character?

Essay Topic 2

"Tales of the City" is a book with a lot of characters. Discuss how the author's use of dialogue contribute to the reader's understanding of the characters in the novel.

Essay Topic 3

How does Edgar's attitude toward his wife, Frannie, change over the course of the novel? Give specific examples from the book to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 845 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample