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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 does Kate need that George had not been able to find during the night?

2. Why does Ellen cut the tag out of the dress she buys for Kate?

3. What does Ellen say about the sound of her father's voice as he heads up the stairway after their argument?

4. What two words are repeated in the lullaby Ellen's mother sings to her?

5. What does Ellen say her mother does the day after their marriage?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Teresa say about Kate's bathing?

2. How did Jonathan and his father come to live in Langhorne?

3. What is Jules' advice about Ellen's decision to stay with her mother?

4. What is Ellen's reaction to Jonathan's news when he calls her?

5. Describe Ellen's brothers.

6. Briefly describe the conversation that occurs when one of the women asks if George is taking time off.

7. What is the "secret ingredient" Ellen adds to the chicken stock and what does her mother say about it?

8. What does Ellen say tips her off to the fact that Jules has been talking to her mother and what does that say about the relationship between Jules and her mother?

9. In the prologue, what does Ellen say is the truth about her mother's death?

10. Describe Kate's role in the early days of her marriage to George.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Kate doesn't want to have to have Ellen's help with personal hygiene such as bathing and dressing. Explain Kate's attitude. When the time comes that Kate has to call on Ellen to help her out of the bath, Ellen does so without complaint. Why is Kate reluctant to call on her routinely after that? What does Ellen say about how their relationship would change at that point? Is she correct?

Essay Topic 2

The months spent caring for Kate changes Ellen's life dramatically. Describe the impact of those months on Ellen. Are any of the effects positive? Are any negative?

Essay Topic 3

The question of assisted suicide is one that has raised moral and legal questions in recent years. Do you believe that assisted suicide should be legal and is it morally acceptable? Why or why not?

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