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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. In Chapter 3, how long does Holly say that their flight was delayed out of the gate because of traffic on the runway?

2. What color flowers are embroidered on the baby's dress in Chapter 1?

3. In Chapter 4, what percent does Franny tip the busboys?

4. Where was Beverly's marriage to Bert held?

5. Where did Wallis and her husband move after he sold his optometry practice?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Franny want to know if Leon is staying at the hotel in Chapter 4?

2. Where did Heinrich go to college and what did he study?

3. When Bert's children arrive for the summer, what happens?

4. Why does Cousins decide to attend the christening party in Chapter 1?

5. How did Lomer die?

6. How does Fix describe his neighborhood and how it makes him feel as he and Tom go for ice in Chapter 1?

7. In Chapter 2 what did Beverly ask Fix to do once for Albie and how did Fix help?

8. How do the Cousins children feel about California?

9. In Chapter 3, where does Beverly go when her house is full of children and she cannot even go to her bedroom?

10. Why does Bonnie, Beverly's sister, approach Father Joe Mike during the party in Chapter 1?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The novel is a collection of stories about members of the Keating and Cousins families. What is revealed about ownership of stories in the novel, and how does the concept of ownership of stories affect the plot?

Essay Topic 2

Beverly and Wallis are friends through marriage, divorce, and cross-country moves. What type of relationship do the women have and how does their relationship affect their lives?

Essay Topic 3

The author tells the stories with simple language. Characters who use simple language and who are less sophisticated seem to be portrayed by the author as more reliable. How does the way that the author uses simple language to portray characters make some characters seem more honest and trustworthy and others to seem to be dishonest and untrustworthy?

(see the answer keys)

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