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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 15, where does Twyla go for comfort?

2. In Chapter 18, where did Barbra and Victor always stay in New York City?

3. In Chapter 19, who starts to pick Avery up from school every now and then soon after Gary's parents move to New Orleans?

4. In Chapter 22, what does Twyla think to herself as she prepares to finish her ferry ride?

5. In Chapter 22, where does Twyla go alone after she leaves the casino?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. In Chapter 22, what does Gary tell Twyla she must come clean with him about in order to have a chance of saving their relationship?

3. In Chapter 19, why does Twyla think Victor takes her to the casinos?

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

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

6. In Chapter 18, what activity involving her home is Barbra known for?

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

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

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

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

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

How does Attenberg use the fact of the infidelity between Twyla and Victor to help sustain suspense at different points in the novel? Write an essay explaining your answer.

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.

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