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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. Where does Claire decide that she will move?

2. What do Claire's parents always hide in the house?

3. What does Claire learn are Adam's intentions with Helen?

4. What date is Claire talking about as the novel opens?

5. Why will Claire not sell her share of their flat to James?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Claire meet Adam?

2. How does the author show that Adam is on Claire's mind all the time now?

3. Why is Claire hesitant to call James?

4. Why does Claire shop for clothes in town?

5. What does Adam's invitation to his flat foreshadow for Claire?

6. What realities does Claire realize that she must face now?

7. What news does James deliver to Claire in her hospital room?

8. How does Claire find out about Adam's intentions toward Helen?

9. Why does Claire feel so guilty after spending the evening with Laura and Adam?

10. How does the author show that Claire is conflicted about whether or not she should spend time with Adam?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Create a character study of James. What are his physical characteristics? What are his motivations? What are his fears? What are his dreams? What else can you say about James?

Essay Topic 2

Explain the role of women in Ireland in the 1990s when the women in the novel are living their lives. What precedents do they feel compelled to follow? What restrictions do they have? What freedoms did they have that 21st century women do not have?

Essay Topic 3

Explain the ongoing conflict between Claire and James. What are the main sources of the conflicts? Why does it perpetuate? What does Claire learn about the reality of her life with James as opposed to the perceptions she has held for so long?

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