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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. In "A Man and Two Wome", where have Stella and her husband rented a cottage?

2. Which one of the men approaches the woman on the last day of their rooftop job?

3. The men stare at a woman who is ________________ on another roof.

4. How does Rose's father die?

5. What does the boy's mother buy for him to help him make the special dive?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why are Mary and Hamish uncomfortable after their arrival in Germany?

2. What is the premise of "The Day Stalin Died"?

3. What surprises Mary and Hamish about the Germans they encounter?

4. What is the significance of the author leaving the heart behind?

5. What does George ask of his ex-wife as he struggles with the physical pain of a break up?

6. What is the premise of "Pleasure"?

7. What is the irony of Jimmy calling Rose selfish?

8. What is the premise of "Wine"?

9. How does Rose behave after she breaks her engagement to George?

10. How does Jimmy blame Rose for his unhappiness?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the role of the family in Lessing's stories.. What does it mean for some of the characters? How does the family evolve in its support of each other? How are some of the families fractured? Give examples.

Essay Topic 2

Create a character study of Rose in "The Other Woman". What are her physical characteristics? What are her motivations? What are her fears? What are her dreams? What else can you say about Rose?

Essay Topic 3

Several of Lessing's works are classic stories of loss and renewal. What does that classification entail? Why do some of the stories fit into this category? Explain.

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