View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What has Adele talked about doing for years?

2. What has Adele been buying for the last few years?

3. Who was driving the truck and had the accident in which the person in #99 was killed?

4. Where does Paul die?

5. How long has it been since Ann has seen her mother?

Short Essay Questions

1. When does Carol realize that Adele is using her and the family?

2. How does Ann's sexual relationship with Peter mirror her inappropriate behavior with young children?

3. What is the symbolism of the sparkly red shoes and Ann's hair being cut by a hooligan?

4. Why does Adele's relationship with Dr. Hawthorne signify her transition into a delusional state?

5. How does Carol show depth of character in her life that Adele could not possibly understand?

6. How does Carol's perspective of her relationship with Adele underscore Adele's dysfunctional behavior?

7. Who is Paul Morgenstern and what role does he play in Carol's life?

8. What is the relationship of the Pikes Peak rock in Benny's room to Carol's breast cancer?

9. What is the symbolism of the ants crawling on the carrot cake?

10. What has Adele really done with the money that Ann sent her?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Simpson is a master at dramatic devices. Choose an example of symbolism, metaphors, and irony, briefly describe them and identify the technique which they embody.

Essay Topic 2

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 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)

This section contains 1,122 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample