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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. How does Daphne describe the feeling of yelling at Cindy Cooper?

2. Why does Cindy Cooper say her State of Jefferson colleague was arrested?

3. Why does Daphne say Hugo would not allow her to work from Altavista?

4. What is Daphne’s epiphany about motherhood?

5. How long was Daphne in the States between the time she met Engin and then returned to him?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Alice explain the death of her children?

2. What is Alice’s relationship with Mark and Yarrow?

3. What is Daphne’s epiphany about motherhood in Day 9?

4. How does Engin reassure Daphne when she is doubting the strength of their tie?

5. How does Alice come to be in Daphne’s house in the morning after her fall?

6. What explanation does Daphne offer to the daycare and to her job?

7. What is Daphne’s reaction when she hears the board of supervisors’ vote?

8. What are Daphne’s and Alice’s different views about Daphne’s idea of going to the town where Ellery and Maryam had their accident?

9. What does Daphne say when Alice asks her why she is AWOL from her job?

10. What is Daphne’s final reaction to the stress and strain of her road trip?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What does the title of this novel mean? How many different meanings does it have, in the context of Daphne’s escape from her life? What is golden about the state of mind Daphne is in?

Essay Topic 2

All of the main characters in The Golden State are women. What is the role of men in The Golden State? How are they portrayed, and what kinds of roles are open to them? What do the women need them for? What effects do they have on the women’s lives? What are the advantages and disadvantages of a novel presenting readers with almost all female primary characters?

Essay Topic 3

Debate the proposition that the ending of The Golden State is a triumph. What are the best arguments in favor of a triumphant ending? What are the arguments against this proposition? Explain why your argument is most convincing.

(see the answer keys)

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