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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. What is Slip's brother's name?

2. Audrey wonders why her husband thinks she should do what?

3. At home, Slip learns her brother has been injured where?

4. During the opening scene, the ladies begin to do what?

5. What is causing tension between Audrey and her husband?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Audrey's ability upset Faith?

2. What affect does Merit's father's death have on Eric and what does that say about Eric's character?

3. Describe what the five friends are doing, as the book opens.

4. Faith and Slip see Audrey sunbathing topless next door. How do you feel about Audrey's antics.

5. What is Merit's relationship to her father?

6. When a woman they don't like comes over, Faith, Audrey and Slip flash the woman. How do you feel about the flashing incident?

7. What secrets are discussed in this section and what do they say about how the book will progress?

8. Why do you think that Eric beats Merit?

9. Do you think that Merit is strong or weak?

10. How is Kari conflicted about being a mother?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Confession is another main theme of the story. Choose and describe one of the following three confessions in detail. Then, explain your thoughts about the event. How did it affect the book as a whole? Do you agree with how it was handled? Why or why not?

1. Merit confesses to being abused.

2. Faith confesses to lying about her mother.

3. Kari confesses the truth about the adoption to Julia.

Essay Topic 2

Eric abuses Merit throughout the book. His abuse eventually results in a divorce and, ultimately, Merit hits him when they meet up again at their daughter's college graduation.

Part 1. Why was Eric abusive towards Merit?

Part 2. Why did Merit take Eric's abuse for as long as she did?

Part 3. Choose two conflicts between Merit and Eric and describe alternative ways that Eric and Merit could have resolved the conflict.

Essay Topic 3

By the end of the novel, a couple of the women have gotten divorced.

Part 1. What are the reasons that the women divorced their husbands and do you agree with their reasoning? Why or why not?

Part 2. In real life, do you think divorce is sometimes a good idea or would you choose one mate and stay with them no matter what? Give at least two hypothetical situations or examples to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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