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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. Why does Josephine put on lipstick and a bra in "A Woman, Young and Old"?

2. What did Ellen call Faith to tell her in "Living"?

3. Who was sent to the Hospital for the Insane on Welfare Island in "Debts"?

4. Who is the narrator in "The Contest"?

5. Why does Faith try to urge Tonto to play outside with Richard and Lester in "A Subject of Childhood"?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What is the only thing the narrator says she ever wanted in "Wants"? What does she do in the story that she feels is a sign change is possible?

3. Describe the setting in "The Used Boy Raisers." Where does the story take place? Who is there? What is the relationship between characters?

4. In "An Irrevocable Diameter," what deal does Charles make with Cindy's family in exchange for withdrawing charges? What is their life like after?

5. What happened to Ellen in "Living"? What does Faith recall of her at the end of the story?

6. Describe John and his mother Dolly's relationship in "Distance." What details show you what their relationship is like?

7. What does Clifford say to Faith in "A Subject of Childhood" which angers her? How does she react?

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

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

10. Where does Virginia's husband say he is going at the start of "An Interest in Life"? What gift does he give her? How does she feel about this gift? What does she tell Mrs. Raftery when she asks where her husband is going?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Choose one story and discuss elements of the narrative structure: Exposition, conflict, complication, climax, resolution and conclusion. Do all the elements make for a logical and linear story? How does the story's structure express the story's themes?

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay discussing the setting and time period of The Collected Stories of Grace Paley. In what ways does the time period and setting impact your understanding of the story as well as the themes?

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay examining how men are portrayed in Paley's collection.

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