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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. Where is Paolo visiting his kids in Chapter 5, "Mississippi Mary"?

2. What does Vicky say they call her at work in Chapter 6, "Sister"?

3. What is Mrs. Small's first name?

4. Why does Lucy tell Pete she had a hard time finding the road to his house in Chapter 6, "Sister"?

5. For what kind of convention does Dr. Small come to Dottie's bed and breakfast?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the lake house represent symbolically in Chapter 7, "Dottie's Bed and Breakfast"?

2. What story from a Reader's Digest publication had an emotional impact on Dottie Blaine?

3. Why is the story of Kathy Nicely significant in Chapter 5, "Mississippi Mary"?

4. What is Mary's backstory in Chapter 5, "Mississippi Mary"? How has she come to her current situation?

5. What truths of Annie's father and Charlene's father are revealed in Chapter 8, "Snow-Blind"?

6. How is the theme of social class explored in Chapter 7, "Dottie's Bed and Breakfast"?

7. How is Annie Appleby described as a child in Chapter 8, "Snow-Blind"?

8. How did Annie Appleby's success come about?

9. What does the tape recorder represent symbolically in Chapter 8, "Snow-Blind"?

10. What is the principle setting of Chapter 8, "Snow-Blind" and why is it significant?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Define foreshadowing and red herrings and discuss examples of each from Anything Is Possible. In what stories from the collection are foreshadowing and red herrings most employed? Why are they employed? What were your reactions to them upon reading?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the characters and relationship between Charlie and Tracy in "The Hit-Thumb Theory." For how long have these characters known one another? How did they meet? What happens to their relationship in this narrative?

Essay Topic 3

Describe and discuss the character of Lucy Barton in Anything Is Possible. How is Lucy's character further explored than in the previous novel, My Name is Lucy Barton? How does Lucy feel about her past and her family? What happens when she appears in "Sister"?

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