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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 secret did Maya confide to Georgia?

2. How did Austin die?

3. What is the setting of "Goodness and Mercy"?

4. Why did Morris not go to dinner with Matilda a few years ago when she was interested in him?

5. Jeanine has no success in seducing ____________________.

Short Essay Questions

1. What kind of world does the boat at night represent for Averill, and how does she incorporate the captain into this world?

2. Who is Jeanine and what is her purpose for being on the ship?

3. Who is Matilda and what are the circumstances in which her mother is cruel to Morris?

4. What does this story say about uneven love in relationships, especially in the case of Maya's husband, Raymond?

5. How does Joan's hometown of Logan contribute to people's needs to fit in and not be too distinctive?

6. In what ways is Georgia's friendship with Maya one-sided in terms of who gives more and who controls the friendship?

7. How did Georgia meet Maya and Raymond as well as Hilda and Harvey? What secret does Georgia learn about the marriages of these two couples?

8. Explain what Averill does every night on board the ship.

9. How does Karin think that her ex-husband, Brent, has facilitated Austin's departure from his church?

10. Why has Anita come to her hometown and what does she recall about her childhood and about stopping for coffee with her friend, Margot, on their way to school?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Alice Munro is a master at dramatic devices. Choose an example of symbolism, metaphor, and irony, briefly describe them and identify the technique which they embody.

Essay Topic 2

Compare and contrast one of Munro's characters to someone you know in your life. Which qualities do they share? What makes them so alike? Do you like the characteristics of the two? Do they have any qualities you would like to emulate? Do you respect them? How do they differ? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

Explain Alice Munro's writing style. How does she deliver information? How does she develop characters? What is the general tone of her stories? What is the most appealing aspect of Munro's writing for you? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

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