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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. What does the narrator's mother make for breakfast the morning after her conception?

2. What possession of the twins' does Gillian want desperately?

3. Which of these is not a game Mrs. Reeves has planned for the beach outing?

4. With what relative does Ruby find she is staying in Chapter Four?

5. Who takes a long time to come to tea on Christmas Eve?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Bunty "torn" at the beginning of Chapter Three?

2. What happens to Lawrence?

3. Why does Ruby resolve to learn to read while at Auntie Babs'?

4. Why does it take some time for Ruby's family to realize Bunty is missing?

5. What happens to Frank?

6. What does Ruby witness their last morning on holiday that she probably shouldn't have?

7. How is Ruby received when she returns home?

8. How are the babies fed?

9. What kind of man was Frederick Barker?

10. What kind of church does Auntie Babs attend?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

At the end of the novel, as she parts from Ruby at the train station, Patricia says, "The past is what you leave behind in life, Ruby," and Ruby answers, "Nonsense, Patricia, the past's what you take with you." Which phillosophy do you think Atkinson believes? Why?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the significance of two of these family heirlooms: the silver locket, the clock, the rabbit's foot, the photographs.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss Ruby's Lost Property Cupboard theory of the afterlife.

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