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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Who reminds Mel that it is for the best that he has his current profession?
(a) Himself (Mel).
(b) Laura.
(c) Terri.
(d) Nick.

2. What reason does Terri give for her ex-boyfriend trying to kill her?
(a) Terri tried to kill him first.
(b) He loved her so much.
(c) He was having hallucinations.
(d) He fell in love with someone else.

3. Who turns on a light in the room?
(a) No one.
(b) Mel.
(c) Terri.
(d) Nick.

4. Who decides that calling Mel's children might not be a good idea?
(a) Mel.
(b) Laura.
(c) Nick.
(d) Terri.

5. How does the old couple appear in the hospital?
(a) They appear overly happy and excited.
(b) They appear to hate each other.
(c) They are unresponsive.
(d) They are encased in body casts.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the geographic setting for the story?

2. Why is Mel hesitant to call?

3. Who does Mel wish to talk with on the phone?

4. What happens at the end of the story?

5. What is the relationship between Nick and Laura?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why do you think the characters enter a depressive state by the end of the story?

2. What two professions does Mel say he would have liked to have had and why?

3. What does the narrator hear at the end of the story, and why is this important?

4. What was happening when Mel arrived at the hospital?

5. What is the final conclusion about the meaning of love?

6. What does Mel tell Laura he would do if anything happened to their spouses? Why?

7. Describe the interaction between Laura and Terri in the closing scene.

8. Describe the relationship between Laura and Nick.

9. What description does the author give of Laura?

10. Why does Terri hope that Marjorie will remarry or die?

(see the answer keys)

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