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This test consists of 5 short answer questions and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Of what do both women accuse the other?

2. What is missing from the photographs?

3. What does Léonie do when she's feeling the way she is at the moment?

4. Of whom does Thérèse dream?

5. Who did Thérèse substitute for her mother after her mother dies?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In chapter 8, Léonie says she will kill Thérèse if she brings up anything else about the past. Each woman remembers the past differently. Memory is a tricky thing, and often several people who witness the same event will later relate the details differently. . Answer the following questions in a well-developed essay using examples from the book as well as personal experience:

1. How do Thérèse and Léonie's memories differ about their childhood as they are back together as adults? Give specific examples.

2. Have you ever recounted an event in your life only to have a parent, sibling or other person say "that's not at all how it happened"? How did you feel about being challenged/corrected? Do you think your memory of the past is reliable? Why or why not.

3. When you think about your very young childhood, how many of your memories do you think you actually recall and how many of them are events that an adult related to you and you have incorporated into your own set of memories? Discuss a couple of those and evaluate them for accuracy.

Essay Topic 2

Starting with the second chapter and as a thread throughout much of the novel is the idea of materialism and obsession with possessions, especially on the part of Léonie. Choose one of the following questions and write a well-developed essay using examples from the book as well as personal experience:

1. Follow the theme of materialism throughout the story, giving specific examples of how and why this theme occurs.

2. Write an essay on the following idea: Is wealth/materialism in direct conflict with a spiritual life? Use examples from the book and from your personal life to illustrate your stance.

3. People from the United States are often accused of being materialistic and that this has greatly contributed to environmental problems. Write an essay either agreeing or disagreeing and support with examples and details.

Essay Topic 3

The two main characters, Léonie and Thérèse, are cousins (or perhaps sisters), though, they are in some ways mirror opposites of each other...or are they. Answer the following questions in a well-developed essay using examples from the book as well as personal experience:

1. In what ways are Léonie and Thérèse complete opposites; give several examples and explain your choices.

2. In what ways are Léonie and Thérèse similar; give several examples and explain your choices.

3. Which cousin seems to be more "real"? Why?

(see the answer keys)

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