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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. Why do some women return their borrowed babies quickly?

2. What type of man did Hadley's parents tell her she might be able to marry?

3. What did Hadley's parents tell her she could do once she failed her genetic screening?

4. What does Hadley do some nights to manage her pain?

5. How is Sidra described as an employee?

Short Essay Questions

1. Where are library babies sent when they turn three?

2. What is Hadley's life in Omaha like after she moves following her failed genetic screening?

3. Why is Sidra hired for the caretaker position at the Omaha Public Library?

4. What happens when Hadley tells her family she failed her genetic screening?

5. Describe the card catalog in the library at the start of "Graceful Burdens."

6. What do some wealthy women do if they fail genetic screening?

7. What happens in "Graceful Burdens" once a woman is deemed suitable for procreation?

8. What happens in "Graceful Burdens" to women when they reach the age of 16?

9. Describe the area where the library babies stay until they are checked out.

10. What is the baby lending process at the Omaha Public Library?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay analyzing each of the primary female characters in "Graceful Burdens." How are they connected? How are they different? What experiences do they share and what experiences are unique to their lives?

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay analyzing Roxane Gay's commentary on gender in "Graceful Burdens." How is gender important to the story? How does it effect the narrative? Use textual evidence to explain your analysis.

Essay Topic 3

Write an analysis of Seraphina's character in "Graceful Burdens." Who is she? What is her life like and how does she feel about her role? How does her character support the story's themes?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 691 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample