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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. Where is Sid and Charity's vacation house located?

2. What concerns Sally about her appearance?

3. Who does Sally talk to when Larry is working?

4. What was Larry's father's profession?

5. How does Larry occupy his time in the summer?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the first year in Madison for Sally and Larry.

2. Describe Sid's first encounter with Charity's mother.

3. How does Sid feel about his teaching job?

4. What is the setting for the beginning of the novel?

5. What do Larry and Sally learn about Charity as she talks?

6. Why have Larry and Sally come to visit Sid and Charity?

7. What is the impact of Larry's job loss on both couples?

8. Explain the different attitudes of Sid's and Larry's fathers regarding their sons' professions?

9. In spite of their challenges, what is the state of Larry and Sally's marriage?

10. What is Charity's model of an ideal marriage and how will it affect her own marriage to Sid?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What conflicts become apparent in the marriage of Sid and Charity? What resentments build as a result? How do they punish each other as the marriage ages?

Essay Topic 2

It seems as if Charity has every privilege and advantage in life and encounters almost no challenges while Sally has to struggle in fundamental things like giving birth and walking. Why does the author characterize these two women in these ways? What points is he trying to make?

Essay Topic 3

Describe the similarities of Sid and Charity's backgrounds. What insecurities do they share? What confidences do they share? How have their backgrounds made them into the people they are today?

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