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This test consists of 5 short answer questions and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What trait did Stein profess to have?

2. What activity did Matisse perform every afternoon?

3. What European city did Stein take a disliking to upon her first visit?

4. Gertrude won an award for describing what object?

5. What does Stein feel in regard to intellectual people?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Much of the book details the relationships between Stein and a lengthy cast of characters. Most of the characters are famous painters and authors although many are academics, friends and relatives that bear little impact on the story as a whole. Why were these people included in the book? Do you feel that the inclusion helped or hindered the picture Stein was trying to paint of life in Paris?

Essay Topic 2

After the Steins returned to the United States from Europe, Mr. Stein wanted the children to abandon their foreign language skills and focus solely on American English. Why would Stein do this? What are the pros and cons of focusing solely on American English?

Essay Topic 3

Although a great deal of the story is about Stein rather than Toklas, there is never a solid mention of Stein's nuclear family regarding the number of siblings. Why would the author overlook an important part of the writer's childhood and family structure? How did the oversight affect the story?

(see the answer keys)

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