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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 does Ruby put Edgar for the massage she gives him?

2. What costume is Michael wearing when he asks Mary Ann to go out with him and tells her about the new tenant on the roof?

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

4. In "Mrs. Day at Home," who does DeDe call?

5. What color is Jon's hair?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What does DeDe do after Splinter refuses her?

4. How does Mrs. Madrigal comfort Edgar after he confesses that he is dying?

5. Mary Ann and Brian discuss secrets in San Francisco. Briefly state each of the character's views on this subject.

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

7. How does Edgar Halcyon describe himself?

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

9. Why does Mary Ann consider moving back to Cleveland and what changes her mind?

10. How is Mona's relationship with her mother different from her relationship with Mrs. Madrigal?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

"Tales of the City" is a book with a lot of characters. Discuss how the author's use of dialogue contribute to the reader's understanding of the characters in the novel.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the theme of the nature of family in terms of the following two relationships: Mona and Mrs. Madrigal, Michael and Mona. What do these relationships signify about the author's view of family?

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?

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This section contains 773 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample