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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 Edgar go after his doctor's appointment?

2. Who visits Mary Ann after her dinner with Mrs. Madrigal, offering to fix something?

3. Who leaves Mary Ann her welcome gift?

4. Who is Mary Ann's boss?

5. What does Beauchamp do just after DeDe confronts him about the lie he told about going to a club meeting for the weekend?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens in Chapters 22 through 30 that shows how the narrative intersects the lives of its characters?

2. What is DeDe convinced of when she finds the scarf in the car?

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

4. In "Mona's New Roomie," what does the reader learn about Mona and Michael's relationship?

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

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

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

8. In "Relating at Lunch," how does Beauchamp change the status of his relationship with Mary Ann?

9. What does Mona tell Mary Ann to try to convince her to stay in San Francisco?

10. Over what work issue does Edgar get angry with Beauchamp?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the significance of the chapter titles throughout the novel. Choose at least 3 chapter titles and explain their layers of meaning, providing examples from the book to support your statements.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss how the theme of human frailty is explored in "Tales of the City." Give examples of the book to support your discussion on theme and make sure that you define theme.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss how the theme of the tension between sexual freedom and emotional freedom is explored in "Tales of the City." Give examples from the book, using quotes and definite theme in your essay.

(see the answer keys)

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