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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. Before the altercation Bob and Margaret have in Book 3, Chapter 2, where does Margaret preach a sermon?

2. How many aunts did Olive's husband, Henry, have?

3. How long has Pam's AA sponsor been sober?

4. In an email Lucy gets from someone she has not heard of for a long time, how many times does the word "envy" (192) show up?

5. How is Larry injured in Book 4?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Olive remember about her husband Henry's stroke?

2. What does Bob notice when he sees Lucy at the grocery store in Book 3, Chapter 5?

3. What sexual abuse did Diana endure as a girl?

4. What is wrong with Charlene Bibber's dog, and what care is he receiving?

5. What story does Olive tell about her first husband's aunt, Pauline?

6. What does Bob do after he and Margaret argue in Book 3, Chapter 2?

7. What happens to Larry, and what is his condition?

8. Did Lucy ever envy other writers?

9. Why does Lucy not like Arlene Cleary?

10. What do Larry and Ariel want to do for Jim's birthday and how does he feel about their plan?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Idioms are words that have a figurative, rather than a literal meaning. How are idioms used in Tell Me Everything to help characters communicate? How do idioms help create word pictures and mental images for readers in a concise manner? How do idioms help readers understand characters, emotions, and ideas?

Essay Topic 2

In Tell Me Everything some characters are more thoroughly described than others. Who are some characters that are merely named in passing or have a minor role in the novel? What is the importance of these flat characters to the story line? In what way do these characters make the main characters more colorful or interesting? When there is conflict, what type of role do these flat characters play?

Essay Topic 3

Dialogue tags help identify who is speaking in a written conversation. What would happen if dialogue tags were never used to identify who is speaking in a written conversation in Tell Me Everything? What are some common dialogue tags used to identify speakers in the novel? What descriptive dialogue tags has Strout used, especially in the scene in Book 3, Chapter 4, where Lucy and Bob talk and walk? How do those dialogue tags help readers imagine scenes? How do they add another layer of description?

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