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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. Anna taunts Pale that the vodka is not _____________, which he would know from his expertise in food and drink.

2. Anna offers Pale coffee, though he would clearly prefer ___________ as a beverage.

3. Who decides to take Anna back to the bus station, glad to be rid of her and her presence in Robbie's family's home?

4. Burton explains his work is about the wives of ____________ and the longing they experience.

5. Pale figures that Anna and the others must have ___________ in the apartment since there is so little furniture.

Short Essay Questions

1. Why did Burton take a job at eighteen as a messenger delivering to various homes?

2. Why are Pale's wife and kids in Coral Gables and not with him in his life in town?

3. What happened between the man and Burton that Burton encountered when he was walking home drunk at the age of 20?

4. What does Burton have to say about the weather in Canada where he was on vacation?

5. Why did Anna sign up for a dance class, as she admits to Larry when they are talking?

6. What does Anna say the difference between a glass and a flute is when Burton asks?

7. Where is the loud noise that distracts Pale coming from when he is in Larry and Anna's apartment?

8. What does Pale admit to doing in addition to drinking before he came over to see Anna and to get Robbie's things?

9. What happens when Larry goes over to the bathroom to check up on Pale to see how he is doing?

10. What does Anna tell Pale when he moves to put his hand underneath her robe when they are on the couch?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Anna has put herself into solitude because of Robbie's death, not answering the door or the phone, drinking her days and nights away.

Part 1: Do you think Anna was dealing with the death in a positive way? Why or why not?

Part 2: Why do you think Anna's roommate hasn't tried to stop her drinking?

Part 3: Why do you think Anna believes alcohol is the only way to stop her feelings of pain and grief?

Essay Topic 2

Burton is generally a science fiction writer but has recently turned to a love story as the focus of his next screenplay.

Part 1: Why do you think Burton decided to write a love story as opposed to his normal writing?

Part 2: Why do you think Burton is embarrassed about his new writing?

Part 3: Do you think writers should try to have just one genre in which to focus their writing or should the be more varied in the things they write?

Essay Topic 3

Part of the pain that Anna feels is due to the fact that Robbie's family didn't know anything about his sexuality.

Part 1: Why do you think Robbie's family didn't know about his sexuality?

Part 2: Why do you think this revelation affects Anna in the way that it does?

Part 3: Do you think Robbie's family actually knew the truth? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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