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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 kind of sandwich does Ellen eat after the trees are decorated?

2. Where is the psychic from who calls Ellen with a message that her mother forgives her?

3. What is the craft project Ellen is working on?

4. What is the smell Ellen associates with her lawyer?

5. What does Jonathan send to Ellen for Christmas?

Short Essay Questions

1. What changes on the day when Kate calls for Ellen to help her out of the tub?

2. Describe the scene in which George is feeding Kate rice pudding. What does Ellen believe is happening?

3. What is Ellen's reaction when Jeff makes fun of her for baking cookies and why does she react this way?

4. What is the memory Ellen has about a tree lighting event the first year her mother was one of the Minnies?

5. What does Ellen say when Jeff asks if hallucinations are a side-effect of Kate's medication?

6. What is Ellen doing that causes the newspaper stories to say that Ellen was "fleeing?"

7. Why does Ellen say that no one acknowledges the ribbons on her mother's wheelchair wheels?

8. What are Ellen's theories about why Mrs. Duane and Kate don't talk about men while they're having lunch together?

9. What does Ellen say to Mrs. Duane when she says that she's been meaning to visit Kate?

10. Kate begins to try to give Ellen advice about her wedding but Ellen stops her. What is Kate's reaction?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

When Dr. Cohn suggests that a nurse be hired to help Kate with some of her difficult tasks, Ellen adamantly refuses. Why does she refuse when it's so obvious she needs help? Ellen herself had previously suggested to her father that a nurse be hired. Why is Ellen so against it when it's Dr. Cohn's idea? Is the nurse necessary? What is her impact on the family?

Essay Topic 2

What is Kate's reaction the first time she sees the wheelchair? Why does she react in this way? Why does she later accept the wheelchair? What does Ellen do to "decorate" the chair for the trip to decorate the Christmas tree? What is the reaction of the other women? Why do they react in that way? Later a little girl named Hattie compliments Kate on the wheelchair but her father reprimands her. Why?

Essay Topic 3

Ellen is scornful of her father's lack of compassion for Kate, but he says that she should remember that he is taking "the night shift." What does he mean? Should George have done more for Kate? Is Ellen underestimating the role he's playing? Support your answers with examples from the story.

(see the answer keys)

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