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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 frequently asks Alexandra to go for a walk and coffee at work?

2. Who is the senior editor for gadgets at Alexandra's job?

3. What does Alexandra write on the floor of the apartments she leaves?

4. What have Alexandra's parents bought for as long as she has known them?

5. What "good news" does Corey tell Alexandra about her job right before she leaves for Ithaca?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Alexandra ask her mother what she thought of Nashville when she arrived there in 1982?

2. In Part II, what does Alexandra discover about Kevin that makes her even more dissatisfied with her job?

3. Why does Alexandra think a lot of people buy lottery tickets?

4. What kind of advice does Tim give to Alexandra in Part I?

5. What does Alexandra's managing editor do at the office that sets off a firestorm?

6. How does Alexandra feel about driving on her cross-country trip with J?

7. How does Alexandra feel about her job in Part I?

8. What does Alexandra think when her company finally gives her a raise?

9. What does the woman Alexandra works for doing house-organizing tasks tell her that is quite racist?

10. What are some things Alexandra likes about media work?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

At the end of the novel, what state is Alexandra's relationship with J in? What has changed between them since Alexandra's trip to China? Write an essay explaining your answers.

Essay Topic 2

What does Yamei Kin's story represent to Alexandra, and what lessons does she seem to take from Kin's life? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 3

What problems does Alexandra have in her relationship with her father, and how does her trip to China affect their relationship? Write an essay explaining your answers.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 625 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample