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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 is one of the factors that may eliminate a woman from being able to procreate?

2. What is one of the four places babies may be sent to when they age out of the lending program?

3. What does a woman deemed suitable for procreation need to do when she wants to have a baby?

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

5. What type of work does Hadley get after she moves away from home?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 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 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 680 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample