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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 in New Orleans does Alex's brother Gary live?

2. In Chapter 6, what is the relationship between Twyla and Alex?

3. In Chapter 1, what does Victor like to drink most often?

4. In Chapter 1, what does Victor do that makes his wife Barbra nervous?

5. In Chapter 2, what does Alex's mother call to tell her?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Chapter 12, what activity does Barbra do daily and compulsively?

2. In Chapter 11, what does Alex ask Barbra for in return for Barbra's request of Alex?

3. In Chapter 12, when does Barbra first begin to realize Victor has abusive tendencies?

4. In Chapter 12, what does Barbra's friend Cora tell her about how to entice Victor more?

5. In Chapter 12, what does Victor tell Alex and Gary when they are upset after their grandmother's death?

6. In Chapter 11, what does Barbra ask Alex to do with Victor?

7. In Chapter 5, what is unusual about Corey's living situation?

8. In Chapter 12, what does Barbra remember the most about her own father?

9. In Chapter 9, what happens when Gary plans to fly to New Orleans to be with his family as Victor is dying?

10. In Chapter 12, how does Barbra meet Victor for the first time?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How is Gary's deception and secrets from Twyla, revealed only at the close of the novel, different from his father Victor's lies and infidelities? Write an essay explaining your answer, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 2

Throughout the novel, Attenberg interjects the perspectives of ancillary characters observing main characters. Write an essay analyzing the effects of these interludes on the reader, citing specific examples to the text to help support your answers.

Essay Topic 3

What kinds of qualities does Sharon's character embody, and why do you think Attenberg includes her in the novel along with Corey? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

(see the answer keys)

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