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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. In his former office, what does Dag have a framed photo of at his desk?

2. What industry does Dag work in before moving to Palm Springs?

3. While on their picnic, the friends spot a sedan filled with tourists from which country?

4. Claire tells a story about a man named Buck. What is Buck's occupation?

5. Where is Claire originally from?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Dag's story in Chapter 12, what bothers Otis about the postcard he receives from a friend in New Mexico?

2. What does Margaret tell Dag is the only reason people get up and go to work everyday?

3. What does Andy tell us about Claire in Chapter 7?

4. In Chapter 1, how does Claire describe the date she had just been on?

5. Why does Claire choose the corner of Cottonwood and Sapphire Avenues for their picnic in Chapter 3?

6. In Chapter 10, what does Andy recall was on his mind when he was on the phone trying to track down photos from Depeche Mode?

7. How does Dag describe himself when he worked in advertising?

8. How does Andy describe Palm Springs in Chapter 2?

9. What historical challenge does Dag give to Margaret in Chapter 5?

10. Where are Andy, Dag, and Claire all originally from, and why does Andy say it doesn't matter?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the conclusion of the novel. How does it end? What happens to the protagonist at the end of the novel? What is the significance of this moment?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the power of friendship in the novel. What are the relationships between the three main characters like?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the genre of the novel, literary fiction. What are the elements of this genre? Why is this novel an example of this genre?

(see the answer keys)

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