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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 22, what does Gary ask Twyla when they first begin their phone conversation while she is on the ferry?

2. In Chapter 14, why does Sierra work out at so many different places?

3. In Chapter 15, where does Twyla always tell people in New Orleans she is from originally?

4. In Chapter 14, where is Sierra's mother's house?

5. In Chapter 20, what does Gary tell Alex when he calls her?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Chapter 14, what does Sierra do behind her husband's back?

2. In Chapter 15, what does Twyla do after she leaves Victor's hospital room?

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

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

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

6. In Chapter 15, what is the difference in the way Twyla and Gary introduce each other to their own families?

7. In Chapter 19, when does Twyla's trouble with Victor begin?

8. In Chapter 21, what does Barbra decide to do about Victor's funeral?

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

10. In Chapter 19, how does Twyla explain to herself her willingness to go along with Victor's sexual advances?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How does Barbra handle Victor's sustained physical and emotional abuse throughout their marriage? Write an essay explaining your answer, citing specific references to the text to help support your answers.

Essay Topic 2

At the end of the novel, what do you think Attenberg attempts to convey about the Tuchman family dynamic and relationships through the growing closeness and reconciliation between Avery and Sadie? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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