View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Julia suggest she and Bridie go on the roof?

2. Julia compares her small pebble of pain on the scale against what of Bridie’s?

3. When asked if she went bathing in the sea, what is Bridie's response?

4. Where do Julia and Bridie plan on sleeping in the hospital?

5. What were the times that Bridie loved best about the jobs on which the nuns sent her?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Julia not tell Tim where she bought his motorcycle?

2. Why does Julia somewhat regret standing up to Sister Luke?

3. What is Julia's response to herself when she wonders how life will ever get back to normal after the pandemic?

4. Julia stands up to Sister Luke in "Blue." What does she say to Sister Luke? What gives Julia the confidence to do this?

5. What are the reasons Bridie gives for why her days at the hospital are the very best days of her life?

6. What are some of the reasons that Bridie and the other children were beaten?

7. What does Julia do to relieve some of Mary's labor pains?

8. Towards the end of "Black" (Pages 235-265), why does Julia feel so festive and in such a good mood?

9. Why does Julia take the risk and let Mary's baby nurse?

10. To what story does Bridie compare Mary and her baby as she watches Mary nurse her baby?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Julia mentions early on in Red that she is not allowed to arrive at the hospital sweaty. What other rules of etiquette must she follow that might seem antiquated or sexist towards women? How does this affect Julia and other women in the story? What might be the connection of these rules to the suffrage movement?

Essay Topic 2

At the end of the story, what happens to Dr. Lynn? Did you expect this to happen? Why or why not? Does this affect the plot? Why or why not? How might this affect Julia, in future events beyond the story?

Essay Topic 3

The young surgeon, Dr. MacAuliffe, returns in Blue. Again, he is seen as inexperienced and rough in his handling of the patients. What might this say about the medical profession at this time? How does he differ from Julia, Bridie and Dr. Lynn? Why might there be such a discrepancy between these various medical professionals and hospital staff?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 950 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample