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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 "Freeforall," what is the name of Sharmayne’s house?

2. In "A Dusty Lunch," what was Brig’s father’s job?

3. In "Death by Clamshell," what did the mob gouge out?

4. In "Widows," what is the tone of Nell's first/longer letter to Stevie?

5. In "Airborne," who is the language expert?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does twenty-three skidoo mean?

2. What does Nell not want Stevie to do about her belief that Tig is not really gone and why?

3. Explain the significance of marmalade making?

4. What duty must Tom preform and what are his options after having fulfilled it?

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

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

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

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

9. How does Amber/Snail feel about Tyler’s lovemaking; what does she want?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay discussing how Atwood’s use of imagery and symbolism allows her characters to express feelings they are not fully comfortable with. Discuss how it allows the unspoken to be represented. Reference one or two stories in the collection.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay comparing and contrasting the narrator and her mother’s attitude toward parenting in "My Evil Mother." Do you believe the narrator resembles her mother at the end of the story? If so, what point do you think Atwood is trying to make?

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay describing how Atwood’s use of backstory helps illustrate the struggles of growing older in "Old Babes in the Wood." What effect does comparing moments from the past to moments of the present have? What larger themes is Atwood trying to get at?

(see the answer keys)

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