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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. In "Wild Plums" what does the narrator's mother say wild plums taste like?

2. In "The Other Woman" when does the storyteller think of the other woman?

3. In "My Dead Brother Comes to America," the family is waiting onshore for ____________.

4. In "The Country Husband" who is Anne?

5. In "Theft" what is the main character's name?

Short Essay Questions

1. In "The Country Husband" how does Julia make herself happy?

2. In "That in Aleppo Once..." what does the wife do to hurt her husband?

3. In "That in Aleppo Once..." do you think the wife ever actually existed?

4. In "Christmas Gift" what is the gift?

5. In "My Dead Brother Comes to America," what does the father do to show he cares for his family?

6. Compare and contrast the janitress and the young woman in "Theft."

7. Why do you think the author chose to have a narrator listening to a friend tell a story in "The Other Woman"?

8. In "Wild Plums" why did the young girl want to pick plums?

9. In "The Hitch-Hikers" what does the guitar mean to each of the characters?

10. In "The Second Tree from the Corner," what are Mr. Trexler's bizarre thoughts?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the theme of predator and prey within "Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?".

Essay Topic 2

Although the main character in "You're Ugly, Too" is a miserable person who is possibly facing cancer, the story does contain some comic relief such as the Halloween costumes worn by the characters. Cite other examples of comic relief from within the text and explain how it enhances the story and why it is necessary.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the coming of age theme within "The Resemblance Between a Violin Case and a Coffin."

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