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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 is the state of Charity's health?

2. How did Larry's parents die?

3. What concerns Sally about her appearance?

4. With whom does Sally share a cabin in Vermont?

5. How does Sid feel about his teaching job?

Short Essay Questions

1. In addition to the enthusiastic welcome, what else strikes Larry and Sally about Sid and Charity Lang?

2. What is Larry's first recollection of meeting Charity?

3. Explain the flashback the author uses to describe the beginning of Sid and Charity's courtship.

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

5. How does Charity attempt to manage Sid's career?

6. Describe how the author introduces the reader to Larry Morgan at the beginning of the novel?

7. How does the evening of the party end for the Morgans and the Langs?

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

9. Explain how Larry and Charity are very much alike in their work ethics and life management skills.

10. What are the plans for Larry's day?

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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