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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 "A Dusty Lunch," what type of dancing did Brig do?

2. In "Freeforall," which play is banned?

3. In "A Dusty Lunch," how did Brig’s wife die?

4. In "Freeforall," how is the disease spread?

5. In "Widows," Nell refuses which analogy for grief?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

5. What happened to their friend with breast cancer?

6. What is the purpose of the ladies’ gathering and what do they worry about?

7. What does twenty-three skidoo mean?

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

9. What is going on with Leonie’s husband?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Referring to “Freeforall,” write an essay discussing how Atwood’s use of diction shapes her characters in the story. Do you believe the terms of finance and trade contribute to the dehumanization of young men and women?

Essay Topic 2

Selecting any of the short stories in the collection, write an essay describing a moment where information was omitted or downplayed. Why was this information left out/downplayed and what did it reveal about the characters and/or story?

Essay Topic 3

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.

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