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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Soon after Helga is well enough to be out of bed
(a) She rejects Green's advances.
(b) She prays for redemption.
(c) She packs up to leave.
(d) She begins to give birth to her fifth child.

2. Clare's admission that she is lacking in morals
(a) Foreshadows her affair with Brian.
(b) Is just Clare being manipulative again.
(c) Makes Irene want her away from the children.
(d) Makes Irene feel sorry for her.

3. Irene allowing Clare into the private rooms of the house symbolizes
(a) Irene's invitation to invade her family.
(b) Irene's desire to show Clare her wealth.
(c) Irene's wish that Clare will love her sons.
(d) Irene allowing herself to be vulnerable.

4. Why does Irene bring up Junior's exposure to sexually tainted jokes?
(a) She is being suggestive.
(b) She is trying to divert Brian's attention.
(c) She wants to punish Brian.
(d) She hopes it will spark some life in his eyes.

5. The teacup Irene destroys is
(a) A porcelain antique.
(b) An heirloom from Brian's family.
(c) A cheap reproduction.
(d) Hand-painted.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why is Irene offended by Clare's use of a PO Box for a return address?

2. Brian demands that Irene

3. Irene is determined to keep her life

4. What is a personality trait of Clare's that stands out in Irene's mind?

5. As to Clare's motives, Irene is

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the author's intention when she puts the two women together in the hotel restaurant scene? What conclusions can we draw from Irene's memory of that day?

2. What is your initial assessment of Clare Kendry? Do we know enough about her in these first two chapters to draw any conclusions about her? If so, what would they be?

3. Things have taken a turn for the worse at the Redfields'. What are the clues that the story is inching toward a conclusion as it pertains to the Redfields and Clare Kendry? What conclusions can we draw about this section of the story?

4. Is there anything we can deduce about Irene's response to Clare's letter without knowing the whole story? If so, what are they?

5. After two years pass, Clare again wants to become involved in Irene's life. Is Irene's reaction negative or positive? Explain her reaction.

6. Clare attends the Negro League dance with Brian and Irene. What does the dance symbolize in the story? Why is Irene careful to arrange a ride home for Clare?

7. What kind of parent is Clare Kendry? What are the clues, thus far, that help us to draw conclusions about her parenting abilities? How has Larsen informed us about this?

8. Speculate on why Clare is silent at the Redfield dinner table, but talkative and gregarious a parties with others. Does she have a split personality, or is she just shy at the Redfields'? How does Larsen let on what is going on without saying it?

9. What do we know about Clare Kendry from her letter to Irene? What do we know about her from this chapter?

10. Hugh Wentworth, the white author, comes back into the story during the afternoon tea scene. What is Wentworth's role? Is he a true friend to Irene? To Clare?

(see the answer keys)

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