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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 kind of medicine makes Frieda loopy?

2. What is "driving Harry nuts" at work?

3. Which character has a new girlfriend before he dumps the last one?

4. What does Olympia notice on Veronica's back?

5. Who does Harry think is in the den?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is wrong with Olympia two days before the ball?

2. Why does Harry feel bad for not helping Olympia?

3. What does Olympia have to run out to buy for Virginia at the beginning of Chapter 8?

4. Why is Olympia angry at Harry's choice not to go to the ball?

5. Why is Virginia upset at the end of Chapter 7?

6. Why has Margaret taken a vacation?

7. What causes Virginia to think she fails her exams?

8. Why is Olympia still worried about Charlie in Chapter 8?

9. Why is Steve coming to the ball?

10. Why is Olympia so angry that Steve broke up with Virginia on the night he did?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Class is an ongoing theme throughout the book. Many of the characters are high class, while some, like Frieda, came from a low, working class of people. How does class define people? Do you think Chauncey is defined by class? Is Olympia defined by class? Who is not defined by class in the book? Why is class so important to some people in the book? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

How do the family's Jewish and Protestant cultures play an important role throughout the novel? Do their cultural differences add depth to the novel or is it unnecessary?

Essay Topic 3

Foreshadowing is also used in this book in many instances. Cite 3 examples of foreshadowing and how it is used to indicate events to come. Why would the author choose to foreshadow?

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