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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. What does Faith's father tell her that he and her ex, Ricardo, have been discussing?

2. In "The Burdened Man," what is the woman's husband's occupation?

3. What does the narrator do at the end of "The Story Hearer" after Jack goes back to sleep?

4. Who is the speaker in "The Little Girl"?

5. Who does Faith find has returned to her house when she comes back from Mrs. Luddy's?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Jack think his father was sleeping in a crib when he was young? Why does the narrator think he was doing this?

2. Who is Mrs. Luddy and why does Faith stay in her apartment?

3. Why is Ruthy sad at her 50th birthday party when her friends tell stories?

4. How does Faith's family react when she tells them of her stay with Mrs. Luddy in "The Long-Distance Runner"?

5. Describe Nick and Faith's relationship in "The Expensive Moment."

6. What instances of Mr. Zargrowsky's racism does Faith cite in "Zagrowsky Tells"?

7. What are the men discussing at the deli when Faith overhears them in "Listening"?

8. What happened to Selena's daughter Abby? What did Tonto say about Abby at the end?

9. Describe the story the narrator writes for her father when he asks for a simple story in "A Conversation with My Father."

10. What does the narrator in "Mother" long for?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write a detailed analysis of tone in Paley's "Faith in a Tree." Include whether the tone changes or remains the same. If it changes, include details on when, why and whether this change is effective.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay exploring the relationships between men and women in Paley's collection.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay exploring the theme of motherhood in Paley's collection.

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This section contains 703 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample