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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. According to Annie, what is the only project Graham ever finished?

2. What reason does Lucas give Jeanne for why he was so sad when scattering Graham's ashes?

3. Why had Graham said people read fiction?

4. Where had Annie last seen Sofie Kahn's name approximately 35 years earlier?

5. Why does Sarah feel jealous about Annie and Frieda's relationship?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does being a caretaker of Claire make Frieda feel?

2. What does the memory of the man in the park mean for Annie?

3. How does Annie feel as she watches the children scatter Graham's ashes?

4. How does Lucas initially feel about his daughter? Why?

5. How does Annie feel about heading to Vermont at the beginning of Chapter 15?

6. Why does Edith feel sorry for her ex-husband, Mike?

7. What is Graham's argument, as shared by Annie, regarding why people read fiction?

8. How does Frieda acknowledging Graham's affair get her into a tough situation with Annie?

9. How do Lucas' feelings towards Claire change at the end of Chapter 26?

10. How does Edith respond when Annie says that, now that Graham is dead, there is nothing left?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The novel ends with Annie grieving again over the loss of Graham. How has her grief changed over the course of the novel? What has led to these changes? What does this reveal about the complexities of grief?

Essay Topic 2

Sarah decides to not share with her family that she is in a serious relationship with Thomas. Why does she keep this relationship a secret? What does this secrecy reveal about her relationships with others in this story? How does it reflect the way she saw her parents’ relationship?

Essay Topic 3

In Chapter 7, what does Annie notice about Graham? What does she think is the cause? How does Graham's behavior and demeanor affect Annie in this chapter? How does this contrast with what happens in Chapter 8?

(see the answer keys)

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