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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. How far does Valentina have to walk to the surgery?

2. When Oksana and Katya went on a work retreat in August, how long did they have to walk through a marsh?

3. How far is Palana, Chander's home, from Esso, Ksyusha's home?

4. What languages is Alisa studying at the university?

5. In "August," how high was the wave in Alyona's story?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who is Oksana, and why has she had a terrible summer?

2. What does Olya see as she leaves her apartment to go to see Diana?

3. What does Valentina remember about her grandmother's death?

4. What is Sophia like?

5. What does Ksyusha's family do for a living, and how did she join them as a child?

6. What does Valentina have on her chest?

7. What does Max forget for the camping trip he and Katya take, and how does she feel?

8. Who are Alisa and Ksyusha?

9. Who asks Alyona and Sophia for help as they walk home in "August"?

10. Who is Ruslan?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Backstories are used to present information about events that happened before events in the novel. How do backstories provide insight into characters and events? What is the importance of backstories in the novel?

Essay Topic 2

Marina attends an Even New Year celebration with her friends. Why does Marina struggle to attend the celebration? What does the celebration mean to her?

Essay Topic 3

Lada and Natasha miss the intimacy they had with a friend and sister, respectively. How did Lada and Natasha have their relationships end abruptly? How did the loss of intimacy affect them? What wounds were left behind?

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