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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 Brian advise Irene to do relative to Clare?

2. What do Irene and Brian call their son?

3. Why is it hard for Irene to resist seeing Clare?

4. With whom does Irene leave?

5. How does Irene want to respond to John Bellew?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who interrupts Irene when she is reading Clare's letter? What did the letter keep her from doing?

2. Why did Irene's father keep it from Irene that Clare was passing for white?

3. When did Clare disappear from the Chicago neighborhood where she and Irene lived?

4. What are Irene Redfield's recollections as she reads the letter from Clare Kendry?

5. Where does Irene travel to the day after her meeting with Clare? How does Irene first respond to Clare's note?

6. What name does John Bellew, Clare's husband, call his wife? Why?

7. What do Brian and Irene discuss while they eat breakfast?

8. What do Irene and Brian discuss on the way to the printer's business?

9. What does Brian tell Irene about someone who can pass for white?

10. What relative of Clare Kendry's was white?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Summarize Part 1, Chapter 4 when Clare sends Irene a note.

a) What did Irene expect the note to say?

b) How is the subject of race brought to the forefront in the note?

Essay Topic 2

Summarize Part 2, Chapter 1 which introduces Irene's husband Brian into the story.

a) What strong feelings does Brian have on "passing"?

b) What advice does he give Irene about Clare?

c) What conflict exists between Irene and Brian?

Essay Topic 3

Describe the rationalization Irene uses to come to grips with Brian's affair. Why does she think Clare will never leave John?

(see the answer keys)

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