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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 Mary notice is different about Robert from the night before?

2. What ritual did Robert's family perform each evening when he was growing up?

3. What does Robert do to encourage Mary and Colin to return to the bar?

4. What did Robert do that made his sisters hate him?

5. What happens to Mary's legs during the night?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Mary tell Colin she dreams about during their daily naps?

2. How does Caroline define being "in love" with someone? How does the definition of love differ for men and women according to Caroline?

3. Describe Colin and Mary's nightly ritual (in the hotel room) before leaving for dinner

4. Describe the notebook Mary keeps as a thirteen-year-old. Why is her mind drawn to this memory while vacationing?

5. Where does Robert take Mary and Colin to eat? Describe this setting.

6. How are Mary and Colin's views on feminism demonstrated through their reactions to a poster hanging on the wall of a Venice building?

7. What does Mary notice about Colin's body as he lays sleeping in Robert and Caroline's apartment?

8. Describe the event that led Robert's sisters to despise him.

9. Why does Caroline lock Mary and Colin's clothes in a cabinet?

10. Describe the scene involving the older tourists that Colin observes from his balcony. How does the version of the story Colin tells Mary differ from the actual situation?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

While Mary's children never appear in the novel, their influence is felt on the story. In your essay:

1) describe Mary's children and their life circumstances.

2) discuss at least two events where the children play a role in the scene

3) discuss the significance of the children in the scene. What do they represent?

Cite several specific examples from the novel to support your ideas.

Essay Topic 2

Throughout the novel Mary and Colin's relationship changes significantly. In your essay:

1) describe their relationship at the beginning of the novel.

2) describe their relationship at the end of the novel

3) discuss the changes that occur in their relationship

4) discuss what influences these changes.

Be sure to cite specific evidence from the novel to support your ideas.

Essay Topic 3

Despite the warning signs Mary and Colin are given about Robert and Caroline's motives, the couple still remains in their company. In your essay:

1) describe at least two "warnings" that should have drawn Mary and Colin's attention to the danger they were about to encounter

2) discuss how Mary and Colin choose to react instead

3) discuss what you think (as a reader) motivates the couple to ignore these signs.

Cite several specific examples from the novel to support your ideas.

(see the answer keys)

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