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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. In Chapter 19, what does Victor tell Twyla about how a friend of his is spending retirement?

2. In Chapter 15, where does Twyla move right after high school?

3. In Chapter 22, what does Twyla make Gary for breakfast the morning after he gets home from Los Angeles?

4. In Chapter 20, which friend does Alex later confide in about the man she meets in the bar?

5. In Chapter 15, what creatures do Twyla and Avery see on the farm on their last visit in large numbers?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Chapter 20, what does Gary tell Alex when Alex finally gets in touch with him on the phone?

2. In Chapter 15, what work does Twyla do professionally?

3. In Chapter 19, what does Twyla know that Gary seeks almost more than anything else in their marriage?

4. In Chapter 19, what does Victor ask Twyla about money that completely turns her off?

5. In Chapter 15, how does Twyla find the experience of having a child with Gary?

6. In Chapter 15, what does Twyla do at CVS?

7. In Chapter 21, what last secret of Victor's did Barbra know about?

8. In Chapter 18, how do Barbra's female friends treat her after Victor settles his harassment cases?

9. In Chapter 16, what does Alex decide to do after she flees from the hospital?

10. In Chapter 20, why does Alex exercise and take good care of herself?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Towards the end of the novel, why do you think Avery comes to the conclusion that her mother Twyla and her father Gary still love each other? Do you think there is any possibility of Twyla and Gary reconciling their differences? Write an essay explaining your answers.

Essay Topic 2

Victor Tuchman is a thoroughly villainous and despicable character. Do you think Attenberg gives the reader any sense of any positive aspects of Victor's character whatsoever? Is Victor ultimately a believable and realistic character? Write an essay explaining your answer, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 3

Most of the male characters in this novel are deeply flawed, or even villainous, from Victor to Bobby. Write an essay analyzing Attenberg's treatment of male characters, and explain who the most appealing and relatable male character in the novel is and why.

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