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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 did Hadley's parents do when she failed her genetic screening?

2. Where are women allowed to go to borrow babies in "Graceful Burdens"?

3. What is the name of the place where Sidra works?

4. Why do some women return their borrowed babies quickly?

5. How is Sidra described as an employee?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay analyzing Roxane Gay's decision to tell the story using third person point-of-view. How does this impact the reader's understanding of the story's events? Is this effective? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay exploring the significance the lending library has on the story "Graceful Burdens." Why do you think the author, Roxane Gay, chose this to support the story's themes? What other ways could the themes of gender and control be portrayed in this type of story?

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay analyzing the narrative structure of "Graceful Burdens." What effect does this have on the story and the reader? Use direct examples from the story to support your analysis.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 679 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample