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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. Who acts as Maria's witness at Maria and Carter's divorce hearing?

2. What excuse does Felicia give about Kate smashing her gift against the mirror?

3. What is the name of the casino where Maria runs into Benny Austin?

4. In Maria's dreams of a shadowy syndicate, what does her contact want her to supply information about?

5. How does BZ behave toward Maria the first time she met him at his house?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Maria remember about meeting BZ for the first time and what does it foreshadow?

2. When Maria wakes up and finds Helene and BZ in the room with her, what vague notion does Maria have and what does it mean?

3. What did the girl Maria knew who had an abortion do to obtain one and how does she tell her story?

4. What does Maria realize about the day of the audition?

5. What does Maria do after she is unsuccessful in her attempt to reach Benny in Vegas?

6. How does Helene speak during Carter and Maria's divorce hearing and then after and why is it significant?

7. Why do Carter and Helene assume that Maria had something to do with BZ's death and what are the consequences?

8. What happens when Maria agrees to meet a director for a new film and what does it signify?

9. How does Maria prepare to meet Les in a hotel room and what happens when he arrives?

10. What does Maria drop off at the doctor and why?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss autobiographical elements in "Play It as It Lays". What aspects of Didion's life is portrayed in the novel.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the importance of Maria's dreams in the novel. Choose 2 dreams and analyze their significance.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss loss as a major theme in the novel. What has Maria lost in her life and how does she cope with loss?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 760 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample