1. What is the narrator implying about Brenda's discussion of her children with the comment "The first act was over.... Now came the plot" (37)?
(a) Brenda was just using the discussion of her children to introduce her real objective.
(b) Brenda is not being honest about what great kids her daughters are.
(c) Brenda is no longer interested in her children--they are part of a past she wants to leave behind.
(d) Brenda has something she is afraid to tell Frank and is killing time by talking about her children.

2. What is Alan's life being compared to in the sentence, "It seemed that his life was being clarified, the sediment was drifting down" (39)?
(a) A science experiment.
(b) A liquid like water or wine.
(c) A water treatment facility.
(d) A glass or chalice.

3. From context, what is the best interpretation of the word "funny" in "In those days they were living in apartments with funny furniture" (25)?
(a) The furniture is likely stolen.
(b) The furniture is of poor quality.
(c) The furniture gives people a strange feeling.
(d) The furniture is amusing.

4. Why does Brenda not want to take the promotion she has been offered?
(a) She does not think it would be a good idea to be working so closely with Frank.
(b) She does not think she would be able to do the job.
(c) She does not want to move to the Washington, D.C. office.
(d) She does not think much of the man she would be working for.

5. What is ironic about the setting around Frank when he calls Eda about going to Florence?
(a) The same porter that he had to bribe the night before is the one who placed the call.
(b) He is sitting in a room with other children innocently playing cards while their mothers talk nearby.
(c) He is still at the same hotel where he had her in his room just the night before.
(d) Alan is nearby but has no idea that Frank plans to invite Eda along with them to Florence.