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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. Audrey learns that Grant's lover, Stuart, has what?

2. Faith shows Aubrey what spot, where Faith claims to have killed her mother?

3. How did Faith's mother die?

4. Mr. Paradise proposes to Merit when he discovers that she is what?

5. Slip decides to join Fred for a small part of his march where?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Audrey's attitude about her divorce?

2. Describe the complete change in Audrey between the beginning of the book and the nineties.

3. Was the accident that killed Faith's mother Faith's fault?

4. What is the major conflict after the circus?

5. How does the relationship between Eric and Merit come full-circle at Reni's college graduation?

6. How is Slip's illness reminiscent of the opening of the book and what could it mean in reference to the beginning of the book?

7. How does Fred's presence at the book club meeting affect Slip?

8. Why does the book club plan to reunite Audrey and Slip eventually succeed and how?

9. Does Mary Jo have the right attitude toward Kari and Julia?

10. Do you think it was right for grant's father to treat him differently, after finding out that Grant was gay?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

When Beau begins to exhibit feminine qualities, Faith thinks that she can shape him into a more masculine child. Also, when Grant tells his father that he's gay, Grants father reacts badly and, essentially, disowns him. Using examples from both the book and your real life experiences, discuss how you feel about the reactions of both Faith and Grant's father. For example, do you think it's possible for parents to shape their children to be something they wouldn't naturally be and, if so, do you think it's ethical? Why or why not?

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

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.

(see the answer keys)

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