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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. At the end of the "2004" section, Joey is now involved with what organization?

2. At the time of her writing in "Mistakes Were Made (Conclusion)," Patty's relationship with which individual is still poor?

3. Why does Patty return to childhood home in "Mistakes Were Made (Conclusion)"?

4. What is the name of Joey's contact at his new company?

5. In "Mistakes Were Made (Conclusion)," what does Patty realize about all of her parents' children?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens when Patty confronts her mother about her basketball years?

2. What questionable business dealings is Joey involved with?

3. What happens to Patty after Walter evicts her?

4. What happens to Joey's wedding ring? What does this situation teach Joey?

5. What is Free Space?

6. In what does Patty take courage?

7. Why does Walter hate cats so much?

8. Briefly describe Joey's relationship with Connie as related in "Womanland."

9. In "The Fiend of Athens," what happens when Walter delivers a speech?

10. When Richard and Walter are alone after their meeting, in "2004," what does Walter admit?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analyze Connie's impact on the novel. How does she affect the characters and influence the plot as a whole?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the issue of parenthood in the novel. What makes a good parent? Are there any good parents in the novel? What, in your opinion, is Franzen trying to say about being a parent?

Essay Topic 3

At the end of the first section, Merrie Paulsen comments on Walter and Patty, saying, "I don't think they've figured out yet how to live" (28). By the end of the novel, have Walter and Patty figured out this important lesson? What, exactly, have they learned about living?

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