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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 Twyla write in her journal after the third time she has a sexual encounter with Victor?

2. In Chapter 19, what does Victor ask Twyla about that makes Twyla recoil?

3. In Chapter 15, which childhood friend of Twyla's does she have a falling out with?

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

5. In Chapter 18, what kinds of lawsuits does Victor face?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. In Chapter 16, what does Alex do when she sees a fight happening in public between a man and a woman?

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

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

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

6. 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?

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

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

9. In Chapter 19, what does Twyla think is one of the saddest things about the Tuchman family at Thanksgiving?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How do the comments and attitudes from both Barbra and Victor throughout Alex's adolescence concerning both her and other women's bodies affect Alex's own perception of her body and her self-worth? Write an essay explaining your answer, citing specific references to the text to support your answers.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay analyzing how Attenberg uses dark humor - particularly related to death and dying - throughout the novel, particularly to lighten the tone of tense moments. Cite specific references to the text to help support your answers.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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