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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. With what is Mary Ann frustrated about life in San Francisco?

2. Why does Frannie come out of the bathroom at her party?

3. Upon arriving at the cabin in Mendocino, what is Mary Ann bothered by?

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

5. Who interrupts Mrs. Madrigal's bath in search of Mary Ann?

Short Essay Questions

1. What advice does Edgar receive from his doctor and from Mrs. Madrigal?

2. Explain what happens when DeDe visits Mary Ann?

3. Of what does Hillary accuse Brian? How does he react?

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

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

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

7. How does Mary Ann feel after her weekend in Mendocino with Beauchamp?

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

9. Briefly compare the two women in Edgar's life, Ruby Miller and Frannie.

10. How are Edgar and Mrs. Madrigal connected even though they don't know it at first?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Discuss Frannie's relationship with her husband, Edgar and her relationship with her Great Dane. What does the writing and style of "The Diagnosis" show about these relationships? How do these relationships fit in with the overall theme of family in the novel? Give specific examples of their interactions and the theme in 'Tales of the City."

Essay Topic 3

How does the narrative intersect the lives of the characters in unexpected ways? Give at least two examples from the book. How does this interconnectedness contribute to the overall plot? Why do you think the author felt the need to connect all the characters?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 866 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample