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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 brand of car do Sid and Larry pack for a picnic?

2. For what reason does Sally express regret?

3. What is growing in the wooded areas along the way?

4. What does Charity say about the state of her health?

5. How does Sally get to the terrace?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. How do Sally's memories provide a different perspective about Charity for Hallie?

5. To what does Larry compare the drowning mouse he comes across while searching for Sid?

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

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

8. How has Sid and Charity's home changed from the time the Langs first saw it in 1938?

9. How does the author extend the Adam and Eve metaphor in this chapter?

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

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

In what ways are Sally and Sid alike? In what ways are Charity and Larry alike? Could they be happy if they were to switch marriage partners? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Larry spends some alone time at the beginning of the novel to contemplate his life. What does he think about? What conclusions does he arrive at? Explain why he is in a contemplative mood at this point in time.

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