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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. What does DeDe do when she returns home from talking with Mary Ann?

2. After being fired, what does Mona tell Mrs. Madrigal?

3. When Mona and Michael are at the nude beach, what does Mona complain about?

4. After telling Edgar how long he has to live, what advice does the doctor give Edgar?

5. Who does Mary Ann first tell that she is thinking of moving back to Cleveland?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Mrs. Madrigal and Mary Ann's initial interaction.

2. Discuss Mary Ann's initial reaction to the lifestyle in San Francisco.

3. Why do neither Mary Ann nor Connie think they will stay in touch when Mary Ann moves out?

4. What is Mona worried about after Michael meets Jon?

5. Briefly discuss the scenario between Mary Ann and Beauchamp in the Mendocino cabin.

6. What does the reader learn about Peter from the scene when he and Beauchamp are at the opera?

7. What does DeDe do after Splinter refuses her?

8. Briefly discuss the argument between Edgar and Mrs. Madrigal as regards Mona's employment.

9. Which other significant character does Mary Ann meet at Social Safeway?

10. At Frannie's party, what happens to the conductor and where does he go?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In what ways does Mary Ann assert her independence in the novel? In what ways does DeDe assert her independence? Are there similarities between the growth of these two female characters? What are they? Give specific examples of the growth and independence of Mary Ann and DeDe.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the overall style of the book, "Tales of the City." Make sure your answer includes the following:

1. How the short chapters contribute to the style.

2. The chapters alternate between different characters. How does this impact the style of the book?

3. Many chapters have cliffhanger endings. How does this impact the style of the book?

Essay Topic 3

"Tales of the City" was originally published as a daily newspaper serial. Explore how the story fits the serial format versus the novel format. In what ways does the structure of the novel give away its beginning as a serial drama in a newspaper?

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