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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 are Vanessa's stepchildren?

2. What does May bring to Neera as her host gift?

3. What is a fortnight?

4. What is the only makeup Vanessa wears?

5. What does May want to do for Neera?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is one thing that makes May uncomfortable at night in Vanessa's?

2. What does the word "shelter" mostly mean to May?

3. What does May notice about Vanessa's relationship with her mother?

4. What is special about the weeping birth?

5. Why does Leo love petunias?

6. How does May's story gain national traction?

7. What does Mona say Lindy said about May?

8. What happens on the beginning of May's trip to London?

9. What does May mostly decide to do when Neera tells her about her marital problems?

10. What is "May Disease?"

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What kind of tone and voice does Kane establish for May, the novel's narrator, in the beginning of the book? Write an essay explaining your answers.

Essay Topic 2

Why do you think Kane keeps the circumstances surrounding May's mother Miranda's death unclear until the end of the novel? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 3

What changes does May make in her life largely as a result of her visits to her friends during her sabbatical year? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 443 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample