View a FREE sample

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," what does Nell think is a fitting metaphor?

2. In "Death by Clamshell," how is Hypatia killed?

3. In "Death by Clamshell," which one of the following did the mob NOT ridicule Hypatia for?

4. In Nell's real letter to Stevie what does she say her grandchildren are full of?

5. In "Wooden Box," what does Tig no longer care for in his old age?

Short Essay Questions

1. What did Brig do in the mornings of his Muskoka family cottage?

2. Describe the playground game of monopoly; what are the altered rules?

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

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

5. Explain the significance of marmalade making?

6. How does Amber/Snail’s interaction with the therapist go?

7. How do the women respond to Hypatia’s death?

8. What does twenty-three skidoo mean?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Selecting instances from multiple short stories, write an essay arguing whether you believe Tig and Nell’s relationship has or has not evolved over time. Make sure to include examples and an explanation of why it has or has not changed.

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

Referencing “Widows,” write an essay about how the medium of letter writing allows Nell to be more open and forthcoming than she normally is. Draw examples from both letters to illustrate this point - make sure to address why she is more closed off in the second letter.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 884 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample