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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 often did Offred return to Nick’s, as described in Chapter 14?

2. How does the Commander feel about Offred being taken away in Chapter 15?

3. What did they call the burning of women’s undergarments?

4. According to Chapter 9, what does Offred think about what the Commander has done?

5. What do the men tell the Commander in Chapter 15?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Ofglen’s question about Soul Scrolls subversive?

2. What form do Offred's prayers take in Chapter 11?

3. How do women come to work at Jezebel’s?

4. What is the condition that Nick sets forth for Offred in Chapter 13?

5. Why does the story about the cat in Chapter 11 matter?

6. What has happened to former nuns?

7. Why does Offred think about her age and height in Chapter 9?

8. What might Offred expect after being taken?

9. How does Offred react when she is taken in Chapter 15?

10. What is the most likely explanation for the Wife’s presence in the Salvaging?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the book, the Commander states that better doesn’t mean better for everyone; it always means worse, for some. What is the significance of this in the context of Gilead? Give concrete and specific examples to illustrate this statement and explore its significance.

Essay Topic 2

Offred leaves the novel on a deliberately ambiguous note. If the novel were to continue, what would her next chapter look like? Use the ‘professor’s’ speech from the end notes as the basis for your fictionalized version.

Essay Topic 3

Gilead might seem to be a cold and terrifying society at first glance. Explore the basis of this society. What came before, and what were the factors that caused Gilead to arise? How has it organized itself, and for what reasons?

(see the answer keys)

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