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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 Michael want to do for Gina in the early part of their relationship?

2. Who sends Striker to Irma's apartment in chapter 21 after she fails to show up at the bowling alley on her usual day?

3. What does Striker read on Easter Sunday?

4. What does Striker call Irma in the privacy of his own mind in chapter 22?

5. Who is Rudy Hahn?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Wanda's knowledge of her parents' relationship compare with what Striker has revealed to the reader in part two of the novel?

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

3. What car accident does Striker witness in chapter 22? How is this ironic?

4. How does the author draw parallels between Wanda Schultz and M.J. Striker in part two?

5. How does Striker feel about religion, as the reader learns in chapter 21?

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

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

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

9. What story does Irma Kosminsky tell Striker over dinner in chapter 21?

10. How do the Hawaiian shirts becomes something of a symbol between Striker and Irma in chapter 21?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Who is Micheal? Why has he come to Seattle? Where does he work? For what reason? Who does he befriend? What happens to this friendship when the person's spouse dies? Why does Micheal choose to remain in Seattle when it is normally his habit to move on frequently? What is Micheal searching for in his frequent moves? Does he ever find what he is looking for? Why or why not? Who is Micheal's favorite writer?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Why does Margaret begin searching for the owner of the single tea cup her father stole from a Jewish child? How does Margaret find out the name of the owner? How does Margaret go about contacting the true owner? What does she learn about the owner? Who is the owner? How does this action bring Michael to Margaret's house? When does Wanda learn that Michael is her father? How does Michael learn the truth? How do they react to one another?

(see the answer keys)

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