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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. Brian demands that Irene not
(a) Talk to him so much.
(b) Molly-coddle their son.
(c) Divert him from complaining about his job.
(d) Talk of sex at the table.

2. At the tea, Clare is
(a) Not herself.
(b) Distracted.
(c) Lively and gregarious.
(d) Angry.

3. What is a personality trait of Clare's that stands out in Irene's mind?
(a) Her energy.
(b) Her affection.
(c) Her selflessness.
(d) Her anger.

4. At all costs, Irene does not want to
(a) Offend Clare.
(b) Walk in the snow.
(c) Lose Felise as a friend.
(d) Lose Brian.

5. Brian would rather be living in
(a) South Africa.
(b) South America.
(c) The Netherlands.
(d) Southern Europe.

Short Answer Questions

1. Irene's encounter with John Bellew

2. What is the trait of Clare's that gossipers have mentioned to Irene?

3. How does Irene conclude that Brian and Clare are having an affair?

4. Brian demands that Irene

5. Why does Irene feel it unsafe for Clare to come back?

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 do we learn about the marriage of Irene and Brian Redfield in this chapter? Is it healthy? Is it durable? Why, or why not?

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

4. 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?

5. During a period while Clare is gone, is there peace in the Redfield home? Why, or why not?

6. 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?

7. What is the burden that these characters carry with them throughout the story?

8. What is odd about the initial meeting among Irene, Gertrude and Clare? Are these conversations typical among women friends? What, if anything, makes the visit among the three women unusual?

9. Discuss how giving birth to her fourth child seems to be Helga's breaking point. Why does this happen? What does the death of her infant symbolize?

10. 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?

(see the answer keys)

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