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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What activity did the unnamed narrator once rely upon in order to calm her nerves?
(a) Driving.
(b) Writing.
(c) Swimming.
(d) Singing.

2. What adjective did the unnamed narrator use to describe her husband John in a conversation with her one-night stand?
(a) Dumb.
(b) Fun.
(c) Nice.
(d) Oblivious.

3. Before the unnamed narrator saw her future one-night stand's face, he grabbed onto what part of her body?
(a) Her neck.
(b) Her hand.
(c) Her waist.
(d) Her arm.

4. The unnamed narrator estimates that her conversation with the lawyer featured in Santa Barbara took place around what time of night?
(a) 8 or 8:30.
(b) 10 or 10:30.
(c) 11 or 11:30.
(d) 7 or 7:30.

5. The unnamed narrator states in San Francisco, 2012 that, "Knowing someone is" how many "parts divination" (74)?
(a) 3.
(b) 2.
(c) 1.
(d) 4.

Short Answer Questions

1. During the unnamed narrator's adolescence, what is NOT mentioned as an object she and other young women were urged to carry?

2. In what location does the section entitled San Francisco, 2012 open?

3. What kind of beverage were the women at the gathering drinking in Fresno, 2014?

4. The unnamed narrator used to mix what kind of alcohol with her coffee each morning, as portrayed within Santa Barbara, 2016?

5. What type of transportation did the unnamed narrator start to obsessively use during her affair with a married professor?

Short Essay Questions

1. In what way does the unnamed narrator find her previous view of intimacy problematic?

2. Discuss the stream-of-consciousness style in which Topics of Conversation is written.

3. Discuss at least one negative coping mechanism that the unnamed narrator uses once she has gotten sober.

4. Discuss an element of the unnamed narrator's writing voice that shares qualities with her speaking voice.

5. What worldview did Fran express during her tirade depicted in Fresno, 2014 and how does the narrator now view Fran's comments?

6. In what specific setting does the story told by the unnamed narrator in the section entitled Santa Barbara, 2016 take place?

7. What method did the unnamed narrator eventually use to end her marriage and why?

8. For what reason did the unnamed narrator decide not to become friends with Dominique?

9. What three feelings does the unnamed narrator recall feeling when John expressed interest in marriage counseling?

10. How does the unnamed narrator answer her own question about why people confide in her?

(see the answer keys)

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