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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. Which of Denise's ex-boyfriends was twenty years younger than Alfred?

2. What kind of smile does the author say Caroline gives Gary when she backs up Caleb?

3. What does Enid want to celebrate one last time before she moves to Philadelphia?

4. What kind of liberal does Denise say she didn't want to become?

5. What does Caroline say is wrong with her?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Chip think a depressed person should act like?

2. Why is Chip disappointed in Denise?

3. Why did Enid feel jealous of her neighbors while awaiting her third child?

4. What does Alfred think about the stock market?

5. What kind of relationship does Chip think one should have with their parents?

6. Describe the argument Gary says could end their marriage?

7. Why does Alfred think the blacks will destroy America?

8. What does Gitanas's printout say about Lithuania?

9. Why does Enid decide it is best not to have a porthole?

10. Why does Chip say he is depressed?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What pressure have Enid and Alfred put on their children? How have their children coped with the pressure? What suggestions are there that Alfred's death releases some of the pressure the children feel to succeed?

Essay Topic 2

Identify the main themes of the story. In what way are these themes relevant to the period? How does the author use character and setting to express these themes?

Essay Topic 3

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 book's themes?

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