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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 is Terri's ex-boyfriend's name?

2. Why does Mel hope his ex-wife will get injured?

3. Why does Terri chastise Mel?

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

5. What does Mel's wife hope will happen to his ex-wife?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the mood of the second portion of Mel's story.

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

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

4. What was Mel's relationship with the old couple like?

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

6. What does Mel think of Nick and Laura's love?

7. Which character is the most likable and why?

8. What sort of casts and bandages are the old couple wearing and why is this a problem?

9. Describe the characters' response to Mel's revelation that real love does exist.

10. Describe the relationship between Laura and Nick.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The title of a work is one of literature's most important aspects. Why is title thought to be so important to a work of literature? What did the author want to communicate to the reader through this particular title?

Essay Topic 2

What is the function of alcohol in Carver's story? How does it act as a catalyst for the plot?

Essay Topic 3

A resolution is often included in literature to give the reader a sense of closure. What is the resolution in this story? Discuss whether it adequately resolves the situation and why you think that way. What could the author have done differently?

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