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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What event prompted Dolly to plunge a life "at least an eight of an inch in the fat of [her] heart" (140)?
(a) John said he never wanted to speak to her again.
(b) She found out John was cheating on his wife.
(c) John said he was moving to California.
(d) John said he was going to marry Ginny.

2. Where does Eddie's father work?
(a) A restaurant.
(b) A pet shop.
(c) A doctor's office.
(d) A dress factory.

3. Why did Vlashkin call Rose a week before she told Lillie her story?
(a) To tell her he was dying.
(b) To tell her he was getting divorced.
(c) To ask her to be in one of his plays.
(d) To beg her forgiveness.

4. What is happening in "A Subject of Childhood" when Faith's "heart lit up in stripes" (96)?
(a) Richard brings her a coffee.
(b) Clifford comes back.
(c) Anthony draws her a picture of the two of them.
(d) She is cradling Anthony.

5. What does Virginia tell Mrs. Raftery when she asks where her husband is going in "An Interest in Life"?
(a) "I have no idea."
(b) "He is marrying his mistress."
(c) "He is joining the army."
(d) "He is probably deserting me."

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Josephine's grandmother say it was good that her sons had all gone away?

2. In "The Loudest Voice," why is Shirley's mother hesitant to let her act in the school Christmas play?

3. What does the narrator think is the only thing she ever really wanted in "Wants"?

4. What did Yoyo become well known for in "Gloomy Tune"?

5. What side job did Rose do in order to pay her rent?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe John and Virginia's relationship after her husband leaves in "An Interest in Life."

2. Why is Peter upset with Anna at the end of "The Pale Pink"? What does she say, which lifts his spirits?

3. Describe Charles C. Charly's behavior in the courtroom in "An Irrevocable Diameter." How does Cindy react when he is questioned?

4. How does Dotty manage the contest prize money and trip?

5. Describe the differences between Eddie and Carl at the start of "In Time Which Made A Monkey of Us All."

6. What does the narrator's husband recall fondly from their marriage in "Wants"? How does the narrator's memory of this differ?

7. Why were Josie and Browny unable to marry? How often did they stay in touch after?

8. In "Faith in a Tree," what does Richard do after the protesters leave the park?

9. Describe Fred and Dotty's relationshp? Why does she leave him? What money-making idea does she approach him with?

10. How does Eddie help the narrator find a job in "The Floating Truth"? Why does she become upset about work at the end?

(see the answer keys)

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