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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. Where did the narrator first meet Charley?

2. Who comes to physically help the narrator after her episode with the impasse beast?

3. Why does the narrator go to see Rain in Part I?

4. What beasts are particularly hard to kill?

5. What does Charley often do on the phone with the narrator?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens to Rain in Part I that is tragic?

2. What is the nature of sacrificial beasts?

3. What do humans decide to do with the remainder of the sacrificial beasts in Part II?

4. Why does the narrator feel guilty about her role in the killing of the sacrificial beasts?

5. What kind of relationship does the narrator have with her professor?

6. How does Ge describe the smile of a sorrowful beast?

7. What does the narrator think the sacrificial beasts sacrifice themselves for?

8. How does a joyous beast reproduce?

9. What does Cloud do to Lefty that is unexpected and horrific?

10. Why do sorrowful beasts seek only one mate in life?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How does Ge describe and explore the sacrifices that parents make for their offspring through different characters and at different points in this novel? Write an essay explaining your answers.

Essay Topic 2

How does writing newspaper stories and novels affect the narrator's own perceptions of her feelings and confusions throughout the novel? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 3

How does Ge establish and maintain suspense throughout this novel? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

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