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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. Why does Carter tell Maria in the desert where he is filming that she should leave if she feels "that way."

2. In her dreams, where are the "hacked pieces of human flesh" found?

3. As she waits at Ralph's Market snack counter, Maria thinks the line suggests that the norm was to have _______, ________, and _______.

4. At the end of the novel, who is with BZ at the time of his death?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens when Maria waits for a pay phone at the grocery store and what does it represent?

2. What does the hypnotist Maria sees tell her about her problems and how does she react?

3. When Ivan Costello returns Maria's phone call, how does he behave and what does it signify?

4. What does Maria do when she runs into Benny Austin at the Flamingo and why?

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

6. When Carter tells Maria that his film will be showing at Cannes, how does she respond?

7. What does watching the television and reading the newspaper reveal about Maria's state of mind?

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

9. What is significant about Maria's meeting with Les Goodwin the day of her abortion?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the setting of the novel.

1. What role does the setting have in relation to the plot?

2. What is the relationship between the landscape and character development?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the treatment of women in the novel. What roles are women valued for and why? What is the relationship between equality and power in the ways in which women are treated?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the relationship between mothers and daughters in the novel.

1. What is the nature of Maria and Kate's relationship?

2. What is the nature of Maria and her mother's relationship?

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