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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. When did Lillian have her first stroke?

2. Which man does Adele meet at a school bake sale?

3. Adele tells her Wisconsin relatives that ____________________________.

4. How does Adele pass her time while staying at the Bel Air Hotel?

5. Who moves into the apartment soon after Adele meets him at an ice cream shop?

Short Essay Questions

1. How do Lillian and Art start out their married life?

2. How does Jimmy help Hal turn his life around?

3. Describe Adele's disappointing life with her first husband, Hisham.

4. How are the Swans' lives comparable to Adele and Ann's life, even though the Swans live in an expensive home in an exclusive are of Los Angeles?

5. How does the author use foreshadowing regarding Ann's discomfort over sharing a bed with her mother?

6. How does Adele's mental health come into question regarding how she manages Christmas for Ann and the rest of her family?

7. What does California symbolize to Adele?

8. Describe Ann's relationship with her mother.

9. What is the premise of ANYWHERE BUT HERE?

10. Describe the unfortunate events in Hal's life including his drug use.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What are the overall settings for the novel? Be sure to include geography, time period and any pertinent popular culture events. Why did Simpson choose to use these places in the novel?

Essay Topic 2

Project into the future ten years after the end of the novel and write a brief synopsis for Ann's life. Will Adele still be such a powerful presence in her life? Or will she gravitate toward Carol for emotional support? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast Carol and Adele. Both women want influence over Lillian but have their hold on her in very different ways. Why are their differences classic examples of conflict in drama? What other similarities and dissimilarities are there between the two characters?

(see the answer keys)

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