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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 was happening in Europe right around the time Vivian moved to New York City, in the summer of 1940?

2. How had Edna Parker Watson and Peg become friends?

3. Who does Vivian wake up from celebrating her twentieth birthday to find unexpectedly in her room, staring at her?

4. What does Vivian remember thinking when she saw Edna Parker Watson for the first time?

5. What does Vivian realize Edna has the most of in her wardrobe?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Chapter Seven, why does Celia tell Vivian to go get her cigarettes and not come back to the hotel room?

2. How does Vivian use her sewing and design skills to help out at The Lily?

3. In Chapter Two, who meets Vivian at the train station and what is this person like?

4. How does Vivian describe Celia's feelings about being assaulted in the hotel room in Chapter 7?

5. What is Olive's reaction when Peg says she wants to call Billy to help write a new play for Edna to star in?

6. In Chapter Three, what does Vivian refer to as her "perfect" New York?

7. What kinds of shows does The Lily Playhouse put on, and what kinds of people make up The Lily's audience?

8. How did Peg, Edna, and Olive first meet?

9. When Vivian receives a letter from Angela asking what she was to Angela's father, how does Vivian decide to respond?

10. How does Vivian's Aunt Peg receive her when Vivian first appears at The Lily?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay exploring how Gilbert treats the subject of alcoholism, and of overindulgence in alcohol, through Peg's and Vivian's characters respectively. Cite specific references to the text to support your answers.

Essay Topic 2

How does connecting with Frank Grecco change Vivian's life? Why does Vivian initially change her mind about agreeing to talk with him after he first approaches her?

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay analyzing how Gilbert develops the theme of "chosen family" of friends and acquaintances through Vivian's post-WWII experiences in New York City.

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