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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. The woman says that one thing that the man gives her is the reason that she inevitably returns to him. What does he give her?

2. What does X do to the tongueless virgin?

3. About what does the elderly Iris dream at the end of chapter 7?

4. What happened the week after Iris and Richard's wedding?

5. What is the name of the girls' second tutor who pushes them to learn the classics and demands a sparse work space?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Benjamin Chase marry Adelia?

2. Why is it awkward between Liliana and Norval Chase when he returns from the war?

3. In chapter 5, Laura does something that scares and angers Iris because she thinks it will save her dead mother. What does Laura do?

4. According to the news article in chapter 4, how does Norval Chase respond to the economic depression?

5. Why does Iris marry Richard Griffen?

6. How does Iris feel about the Laura Chase Memorial Prize?

7. How does Laura respond to living with Richard and Iris?

8. Do you think X's chose the right course of action regarding the tongueless virgin?

9. How is chapter 2 structured?

10. In chapter 1, the protagonist of the sub novel looks at a picture. What does this picture depict?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Iris feels confined by her gender. She feels obligated to accept Richard's marriage proposal, she allows him to bully her because she believes she has no real power in their relationship, and remains married to him because she has no marketable skills. In the same way, the sacrificial virgins of Sakiel-Norn are doomed to a life of slavery and sacrifice. Do you think that Iris and Laura are confined by their gender or do they have the power to make their own decisions and escape from the expectations of the men around them? Compare and contrast the Sakiel-Norn virgins with the women in the main novel, incorporating at least two characters. You might want to include characters such as Iris, Laura, Reenie, Winifred, Liliana, Adelia, Aimee, or Myra. You can also incorporate the Peach Women of Aa'A if you so choose.

Essay Topic 2

Many of the characters do things that they find repulsive or uncomfortable as a sacrifice for someone they love. Choose a sacrifice made by a character in the novel, explain the sacrifice and why the character made it and whether you agree or disagree with the character's decision. Be sure to explain your reasoning and answer such questions as: Did the sacrifice accomplish anything; did the person for which the character is sacrificing appreciate the sacrifice; does it matter if it is appreciated?

Essay Topic 3

Choose a character for the novel and answer the following questions about the character:

1. What traits define the character?

2. What is the character's role in the novel?

3. How does this character relate to other characters?

4. How is this character developed?

5. How would the novel change if the character were removed?

(see the answer keys)

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