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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. Why can Sabine not tell her nephews how the magic trick was done?

2. What does Kitty ask Sabine to do at the kitchen table?

3. Which family member do the others avoid at dinner at the Fetters home?

4. What does Dot do to help Sabine pass some time?

5. In Sabine's dream, what is Phan's profession?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who are Kitty's sons and what do they find fascinating about Sabine?

2. Why does Dot think that her expectation that Guy would come home cause her to lose him forever?

3. What are the circumstances in which Kitty kisses Sabine?

4. Why does Dot think that she handled the situation with Guy so poorly?

5. Who is Howard Plate and what can be assumed by his behavior?

6. How does the kiss from Kitty give Sabine some satisfaction over Howard and his threatening behavior?

7. Why is Kitty returning home for awhile and how do Dot and Sabine view this differently?

8. How do Sabine's views of the world differ from Dot's perspective?

9. What makes Sabine think about her father when Kitty speaks to her about her own boys?

10. What does Sabine finally see in the Tonight Show performance?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Does Patchett end the story on a note of hope for Sabine or the continuance of her struggle to come to terms with the loss of Parsifal in her life? Give your perspective and two reasons to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

The author uses more than one instance of irony in the book. Cite at least two other examples you can identify in the book and note why they are examples of irony.

Essay Topic 3

Explain the ongoing conflict between Howard and the rest of the Fetters family. What are the main sources of the conflicts? Why does it perpetuate? Why does Howard feel a special conflict with Sabine?

(see the answer keys)

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