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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. Who has a birthday party at the beginning of Part 2: Chapter 2?

2. What do the Langs and Morgans plan to do at the end of the summer?

3. What do Sid and Charity agree on?

4. Where do Sally and Larry have to move for Larry's new job?

5. What is Hallie's profession?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Sid not want to go on the family picnic?

2. How is Charity managing her illness?

3. Explain the method that Sally has of categorizing her memories.

4. What plans has Charity made for her family for after her death?

5. Why does Larry consider their year in Italy to be one of the best and most youthful for Sally and him?

6. What happens to the relationship between the Morgans and the Langs during World War II?

7. How do the Charity, Sid and Sally remain in character when facing Charity's imminent death?

8. How has the necessity for rescue changed between the two couples?

9. What is the situation the characters find themselves in when the novel returns to the present day in 1972?

10. How does the author use the Adam and Eve metaphor to advance the plot?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The theme of rescue will be an important one in the novel. How does the author begin to build this theme? Give examples of rescues throughout the book.

Essay Topic 2

Describe the state of Sid's barn wood shop and home office. How does the state of his rooms mirror the state of his spirit? Explain.

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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