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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. In the essay "Reaching for Catharsis," how many pounds overweight is the main character of the novel Skinny?

2. In the essay "Blurred Lines, Indeed," why does Gay suggest a woman might not want to tell her story publicly?

3. In "Girls, Girls, Girls," what is the film mentioned by Gay as an example of film revolutionizing female characters?

4. In the essay "How We All Love," the definition of what assaulting act continues to expand, in favor of women?

5. According to the essay "The Trouble with Prince Charming," what did the characters in the Fifty Shades of Grey series need to sign prior to starting a relationship?

Short Essay Questions

1. In "To Scratch, Claw, or Grope Clumsily or Frantically," what disturbing news does Gay receive while at the tournament?

2. Why does Gay suggest that readers are not to like the character Countess Olenska, as referenced in the essay "Not Here to Make Friends"?

3. In the essay "Reaching for Catharsis," what is Gay's primary criticism of the book, Skinny?

4. In the essay "Some Jokes Are Funnier Than Others," why did the class clown get in trouble?

5. In "Feel Me. See Me. Hear Me. Reach Me.," what is the primary lesson Gay learns from advising students?

6. In the essay "How to Be Friends with Another Woman," what is the first and most fundamental rule Gay states?

7. In the essay "Dear Young Ladies Who Love Chris Brown," what does Gay predict will happen to his behavior?

8. In the essay "I Once Was Miss America," how does Gay react to Vanessa Williams being crowned Miss America?

9. IIn the essay "Beyond the Measure of Men," what does Gay say about female writers and the aspects of publishing over which they have control?

10. In the essay "Girls, Girls, Girls," why does Gay fall so hard for the television show "Girlfriends"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay explaining the author's choice to write individual essays on a variety of different topics instead of one cohesive subject. What purpose does the narrative structure serve in developing and strengthening her concept of "bad feminism"?

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay explaining the author's narrative tone toward violence against women. Select the most poignant, vivid examples from the essay collection to develop your argument.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay explaining the author's narrative tone toward the cult of beauty and thinness, citing textual examples from her essay "Reaching for Catharsis." How does she feel about the unrealistic standards of beauty and body placed on women by society?

(see the answer keys)

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