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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. Which of the following works with schoolchildren at Margaret’s workplace?

2. On which of the following does Peter have a case?

3. Which of the following does Ivan note is his favorite?

4. Which of the following does Peter drink at a birthday celebration?

5. Which actor do Peter and Sylvia watch while she convalesces?

Short Essay Questions

1. What holiday plans does Christine try to get Peter and Ivan to attend?

2. Why does Ivan avoid getting a taxi when he visits Margaret at her home?

3. How does Naomi support herself?

4. What had been Margaret’s hope in leaving her husband?

5. Why does Peter not return to his apartment after his upset with Sylvia?

6. What does Ivan cite in favor of his belief in a god?

7. Why does Ivan hesitate to tell Margaret he loves her?

8. How does Ivan work to restore his late father’s house for his own use?

9. Why does Peter, generally, decline to reach out to his brother to discuss his own life?

10. How does Peter explain to Sylvia his attempt to break off matters with Naomi?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Consider the ending of the novel. Does it satisfy? How or how not?

Essay Topic 2

The novel betrays particular attitudes about what work is. What are those attitudes, and how do they manifest in the novel?

Essay Topic 3

Consider Ivan’s recollection of his conversation with Sylvia about green hats and sisters (261-63). Does Ivan’s logic check out? Does his reasoning more fully? How or how not?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 500 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample