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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 "Widows," what is the tone of Nell's second/real letter to Stevie?

3. What is the mood of "Airborne"?

4. In "Death by Clamshell," why was Hypatia killed?

5. In "Wooden Box," what is the temperature of Nell and Tig's cabin?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What does Nell think about the writing of the Breaking of the Gothic Line article?

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

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

6. What does twenty-three skidoo mean?

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

8. Explain the significance of marmalade making?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

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 3

Write an essay explaining how Atwood’s use of frame story helps illustrate and enhance the overall story’s meaning in "Impatient Griselda " or "Two Scorched Men." Select elements that the frame story addresses that play a larger thematic role in the overall story.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 888 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample