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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 does Manya's work end at Sczczuki?

2. Where does this story open?

3. What does Manya enter for the first time during this time period in her life?

4. Why do Casimir's parents oppose the idea of marriage to Manya?

5. What does Marie call the second of the new elements she and Pierre discovered?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Manya come to the conclusion that her plan was futile?

2. What does Marie do after she discovers that uranium and thorium are radioactive and what discovery does this lead to?

3. How do Manya's employers treat Manya and how does Manya feel about the children and her job?

4. What happens when war breaks out?

5. How is Pierre killed?

6. How does Marie spend her days?

7. How does Marie find international work and what continues to be her life-long ambition?

8. What does a typical day look like for Manya at this point in her life?

9. What marks Manya's adolescence the most?

10. What discovery does Marie make about radium?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Throughout the novel, there appear to be different antagonists in Marie's life. Do you believe this is accurate? Do all people have different antagonists as they age and their life progresses? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

What things did Marie's early strong foundation provide her that helped her later through the most difficult times in her life? Do you feel that her early life was helpful or harmful to Marie? In what way?

Essay Topic 3

The Curies believed that their discoveries belonged to all of humanity. Do you agree with their decisions? Why or why not? Do you think modern scientists are as selfless as Marie? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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