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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. How long does Striker promise in chapter 20 to remain at his new job should he be hired?

2. What year did Michael take a photograph of Gina and Wanda in the bowling alley that he liked so much he ordered two prints?

3. Who shows Striker where to find Irma's hair dye kit in chapter 21?

4. What type of social program does Striker begin at Aloha Lanes in chapter 21?

5. What illness does Rudy claim to have in chapter 20?

Short Essay Questions

1. What symbolic item is mentioned in chapter 18 that is related to a similar item symbolically important to Wanda Schultz?

2. Why does Michael leave his daughter and go in search of his missing wife in chapter 19?

3. What picture does Striker have of his wife and how does this connect him with Wanda Schultz?

4. What character seems to tell Striker how he can pull Irma out of her depression in chapter 21?

5. Who is M.J. Striker and why has he come to work at the Aloha Lanes bowling alley in chapter 20?

6. How does the author draw parallels between Striker and Irma concerning their painful pasts?

7. In the beginning of Part Two, how does the narration change?

8. Why is Michael forced to quit college after marrying Gina?

9. What odd behaviors on the part of Gina Lorenzini does Michael O'Casey overlook due to his amorous feelings for her?

10. How does Striker celebrate Easter in chapter 22?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Who is Stephen? How does Margaret feel about him? Why did their relationship end? What was the cause? What role does Stephen play in Margaret's life now? What is Margaret's reaction when the doctor wants to call Stephen upon learning of Margaret's brain tumor? Why does Stephen's new wife call Margaret later in the novel? What does she want? What does she threaten to tell Stephen? How does Margaret react to the threat? What does Stephen say to Margaret after this threat is made good?

Essay Topic 2

Wanda was adopted by her aunt and uncle. Examine this family. How does Wanda fit in with this surrogate family? How many siblings are there? Why does one of the children resent Wanda? How does Wanda feel about that? How did losing her parents impact Wanda? How has Wanda's past shaped her present? Why is Wanda so obsessed with her ex-lover? Why does Wanda believe the unsigned postcard is from her ex-lover?

Essay Topic 3

How does Margaret meet Gus McPherson? What role does Gus play in Margaret's life? What gift does Margaret make to Wanda in chapter 12? What does this say about their changing relationship? Why does Margaret suddenly begin making friends and coming out of her reclusive lifestyle when she learns she is dying? What does this say about Margaret's character? Do Margaret's new friends know about her illness? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

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