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This test consists of 5 short answer questions and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is Anne's state of mind in Part 12?

2. What does Anne recall loving during her childhood?

3. What surprises Anne about Sam lately?

4. What does Anne wonder as she watches Sam crawl?

5. Why does Anne resist her urges to drink or get high?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Anne's father was also a writer and the family has a volatile income which did not provide much security. Do you think that Anne is afraid that she has inherited her father's fluctuating financial patterns as well as his gift for words? Explain what qualities Anne has that will not allow her to follow in all of her father's footsteps.

Essay Topic 2

Explain the origins of the title of the book: Operating Instructions. Does Anne want the reader to think that it is a book about caring for a newborn? Or does she want the reader to dig a little deeper for a more personal meaning? The phrase "waiting for operating instructions" occurs in at least two situations in the book. Define them and determine Anne's meaning for the book's title.

Essay Topic 3

Explain why, in a life filled with self-absorbed behavior and addictions to substances, one little baby can completely change Anne's world. Is this Anne's first experience with unconditional love? If so, is that why she is so unsure of herself much of the time where Sam is concerned? Explain.

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This section contains 325 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample