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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. What time does Olive have to get up and change her sheets in "The Poet"?

2. In "The Poet," how long has Olive been using a cane?

3. What was Andrea's father's name?

4. When do Christopher and his family visit Olive in "Friend"?

5. How long does Olive stay in a regular hospital room?

Short Essay Questions

1. What were the circumstances behind Olive's heart attack?

2. What living arrangements do Fergus and Ethel MacPherson have?

3. What does Fergus do during Civil War Days in the park in Crosby?

4. What does Lisa say about inspiration she received from Olive Kitteridge when she was in her math class?

5. What is the main issue with the way that Fergus and Ethel live?

6. In "Pedicture," what trips does Jack remember taking with Olive?

7. What does the park look like in "The End of Civil War Days" and how is it different from when Fergus was a kid?

8. What does Andrea say about meeting the president of the United States?

9. Who is Bob's ex-wife, and what is their relationship?

10. What news does Lisa have for her parents when she visits in "The End of the Civil War Days"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Olive feels ancient at 82. Why does Olive feel old? What advantages of being old does she realizes there are? Why does she find being old freeing?

Essay Topic 2

In the novel, some characters are more thoroughly described than others. Who are some characters that are merely named in passing or have a minor role in the novel? What is the importance of these flat characters to the story line? In what way do these characters make the main characters more colorful or interesting? When there is conflict, what type of role do these flat characters play?

Essay Topic 3

Margaret and Helen are very different people. How are Margaret and Helen different from one another? In what way are they prejudiced against each other? How does prejudice affect their relationship?

(see the answer keys)

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