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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 is Kathy unable to speak when she wakes up in the hospital?

2. What does Kathy plan to do now that she has parked in the driveway of the house?

3. How does looking at Soraya's picture make Kathy feel?

4. Why does Kathy think the police will come looking for her now that she has returned to the house?

5. What does Lester see in Kathy's car that alarms him when he arrives at the house?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Kathy feel a sense of unreality while she is in the hospital?

2. Kathy doesn't shower because she doesn't want to clean up, then put on again the clothes she has stolen. How is this a metaphor for her situation now?

3. Lester watches his own image in the elevator doors spread out from the middle, then disappear. How is this symbol a metaphor for his situation?

4. Why doesn't Behrani attempt to negotiate with Lester when he breaks in and holds them at gunpoint?

5. Although Lester believes Behrani's story, he becomes angry again when Behrani describes Kathy as "drunk." Behrani is angry at Lester when he sees him studying his photo with the shah. How are these two moments similar?

6. When Nadereh told Lester that her husband was "only good," Behrani believed that she had a different meaning than a positive comment on his character. What does Behrani believe Nadereh meant?

7. Who does Lester want to call from jail and what does he plan to say?

8. Why does Kathy go sit in the car to wait for Lester to return? Why doesn't she stay inside the house?

9. As Kathy takes the pills to kill herself, how does her attitude toward the Behranis change?

10. What is Connie Walsh's planned defense for Kathy?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Dubus has written a story with powerful themes. A theme is the author's main idea, or purpose in telling the tale. What do you believe Dubus is trying to teach us as his readers? Support your thesis with ideas or facts from the story.

Essay Topic 2

We are not told that Kathy is beautiful, but there are several instances of responses to her from men, including bystanders and passing motorists. What do these responses tell you about her? What does Lester's response to her tell you about her? In your opinion, would the story have been different if Kathy's appearance was different? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Kathy wears Nick's sunglasses and clothing stolen from her employer, drives a car her brother gave her, and uses Lester's gun. She allows other people to buy things for her and to take on her problems. What does this tell you about her attitude toward possessions? What do these things tell you about her attitudes toward other people? Do you think she sees them as nothing more than resources - Nick as a sperm donor, Lester as a protector, Frank as a rescuer? Does she care for anyone else? Why do you think this is important to the story?

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