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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. In "Wooden Box," why are Nell and Tig stranded at their cabin?

2. In "Airborne," who do they need to write the proposal?

3. Hypatia claims her attackers were deeply concerned with what?

4. In "A Dusty Lunch," which of the following is NOT a poem Brig wrote?

5. What is the setting of "Airborne"?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Nell speak about in her short/real letter to Stevie?

2. Why did Darlene quit and what convinces her to return (in a non-official capacity)?

3. Explain the significance of marmalade making?

4. What happens when Nell and Tig decide to stay in the cabin over March?

5. Describe the circumstances of Amber/Snail’s death.

6. What discussion do Nell and Tig have in the Sauna – why does this cause Nell to be upset?

7. What is the Freeforall and who are the people in it?

8. What trap is Inspector Maigret setting and what does Nell think about it?

9. How do humans assume the soul’s afterlife works and what really happens?

10. What does Marty’s letter to Brig say?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Referencing both “Morte de Smugdie” and “Old Babes in the Wood,” write an essay arguing why Lizzie’s presence forces Nell to reflect and confront uncomfortable feelings. What is it about the presence of family that prompts reflection?

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay explaining how Nell deals with her grief through poetry. Analyze the techniques she uses to process her grief referencing one or two short stories in the collection.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay arguing why one of Atwood's stories plays into or against tropes of the genre it belongs to. Make sure you identify the genre and the stereotypical tropes that belong to it. How does playing into or against its genre affect your reception of the story?

(see the answer keys)

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