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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 is the name of the hill Hortensia walks to?

2. What was the name of Hortensia's classmate, nicknamed "K"?

3. What sets Hortensia apart from everyone else in Katterijn?

4. What does Hortensia plan on removing and adding to the home?

5. Who does Marion not want to know about the painting?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Marion prefer her dog to her late husband?

2. What was Marion’s relationship with her parents like?

3. Why do Marion and Hortensia argue over the remodel?

4. What does Hortensia cite as her “last remaining comfort” in the world?

5. Why does Mr. Marx insist that Hortensia meet Esme?

6. How is the committee dealing with the issues of Beulah Gierdien and the Samsodiens in Chapter Eight?

7. What is Marion’s current financial predicament in Chapter Three?

8. Why does Dr. Mama visit Hortensia? What is their interaction like?

9. How do Hortensia and Marion first meet?

10. What happens when Hortensia tries to apologize to Marion?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How is dialogue essential to the major themes of the novel? What different types of conversations are had and how do they contribute to both the plot and ideas of the book?

Essay Topic 2

What are the origins of Marion and Hortensia’s feud? Point to examples from the novel that indicate how their mutual loathing developed and why it became so fierce.

Essay Topic 3

Describe Hortensia’s perception of and struggles with the concept of motherhood. How does this compare to Marion’s struggle?

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This section contains 613 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample