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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. What secret skill does Arthur have?

2. What does Steve say he can help Maddy with, in Section 3?

3. What does Arthur realize about himself since Maddy has come to live with him in Section 4?

4. Where was Maddy staying before she moved in with Arthur in Section 3?

5. What type of book does Maddy buy for the baby in Section 4?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Maddy say about death, to Arthur, in Section 4?

2. In Section 4, Lucille is exploring the idea of selling her house. What is her experience with her realtor?

3. What does Arthur say to Lucille to keep her calm in her driveway in Section 3?

4. What does Arthur say to Maddy, about love, in Section 4?

5. How does Lucille's first baking class go in Section 3?

6. How is Lucille treated by Frank's daughter in Section 3?

7. What is discussed between Steven and Arthur in Section 3?

8. What is Lucille's house like, in Section 3, when Arthur brings her over a plate of food?

9. What is the agreement that Arthur and Maddy come to in Section 3?

10. In Section 3, how do Steve and Arthur express their grief over their wives differently?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In Section 4, Lucille talks to Maddy and Arthur about her experience with happiness. She says, "I felt like some embodiment of happiness was sitting there, and I was afraid to look over at it. I was afraid it would go away. And then it talked. The happiness, it talked, it said, 'Look at me.' So I looked over. And happiness said, 'You're not looking at me. You're looking at you'" (171). What does this quote mean, and how does it highlight one of the key themes of the novel?

Essay Topic 2

Analyze the theme of love in the novel. How is it expressed? What is Berg saying about Love?

Essay Topic 3

Analyze the role that photography and photographs play in the novel. What does photography symbolize in the text?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,234 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample