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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 Terri say she will bring out for everyone to nibble on?

2. What does Mel suggest after the story is interrupted?

3. Who does Terri say she loved to the point of distraction?

4. Who bumps Nick's knee under the table?

5. How long has Nick been married?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Mel frustrated with the meaning of love?

2. Compare Mel and Terri's relationship to Nick and Laura's.

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

4. Why does Terri scold Mel for being insensitive?

5. Describe the setting of the initial part of the story as told by the narrator.

6. What is the attitude of the other characters in the story as Mel becomes drunk?

7. What does Mel hope will happen to his ex-wife and why?

8. Does Terri think her ex-boyfriend loved her? Why?

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

10. What does Mel think about the cause of the old man's depression?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

This story revolves around love and its various meanings. Compare and contrast the ways each character views and portrays love. What are some possible explanations for their differing understandings of love?

Essay Topic 2

Narration refers to the method the author uses to communicate the story to readers. From what type of viewpoint is this story narrated? Discuss the advantages and drawbacks of presenting a story from this viewpoint.

Essay Topic 3

The two couples in this story are presented as having very different types of relationships. Compare and contrast the dynamics of the two couples' relationships. How are the relationships the same? How are they different? Which couple would you have felt more comfortable around? Why?

(see the answer keys)

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