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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. When longest friend says she has to bring up a second one of middle sister's transgressive practices, she brings up middle sister's possession of what object?
(a) The head of a cat.
(b) The ear of a dog.
(c) The tail of a cat.
(d) The whiskers of a rat.

2. What objects does middle sister throw onto the ground after she leaves the place where she has just had a contentious encounter with the community?
(a) Magazines.
(b) Chips.
(c) Cookies.
(d) Rosaries.

3. Middle sister recalls joining together with which other character in order to warn wee sisters about first brother-in-law?
(a) Third sister.
(b) Real milkman.
(c) Tablets girl.
(d) Third brother-in-law.

4. What phrase does longest friend use to characterize the reason why she had felt compelled to meet with middle sister?
(a) Lack of patriotism.
(b) Mental deterioration.
(c) Death wish.
(d) Weak heart.

5. Who accuses maybe-boyfriend of being the milkman when he makes an attempt to contact middle sister during her recuperation period?
(a) Da.
(b) Wee sisters.
(c) Eldest sister.
(d) Ma.

Short Answer Questions

1. After dogs eat the chips middle sister has thrown onto the ground, which character does she see?

2. Middle sister often pleads with maybe-boyfriend not to take what action?

3. What practice of middle sister's does longest friend say she had consistently warned middle sister to stop performing?

4. How many of middle sister's initial encounters with the milkman does she for some time try to see as "accidental" (166)?

5. Which element of speech had inspired suspicion in middle sister's mind long before the appearance of the milkman in her life?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does middle sister mean when she says, "My inner world, it seemed, had gone away" (176)?

2. For what reason does the incident in the chip shop happen, according to middle sister?

3. What does Semtex symbolize within the novel?

4. Discuss a particular allusion Burns uses to allude to another literary work associated with the theme of depression.

5. What significant event happens in a chip shop shortly after real milkman is shot?

6. What act does middle sister see as the one that would symbolize her surrender to the milkman?

7. Why do the renouncers-of-the-state come to middle sister's family's door in Chapter 5?

8. Which group had reportedly failed in their attempts to save tablets girl's life prior to her demise?

9. What is ironic about the fact that every time the milkman suddenly appears, he does so "in the manner of some ordinary meeting up" (166)?

10. Give an example of Burns's use of sarcastic humor within Chapter 5 and explain its connection to one of the novel's major themes.

(see the answer keys)

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