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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. How does the unnamed narrator describe the motility of John's sperm?
(a) Low.
(b) Moderate.
(c) High.
(d) Normal.

2. WIth whom did the lawyer featured in Santa Barbara, 2016 leave her son when she left?
(a) Her husband.
(b) Her mother.
(c) Her sister.
(d) Her aunt.

3. During the unnamed narrator's adolescence, what is NOT mentioned as an object she and other young women were urged to carry?
(a) A set of keys.
(b) A whistle.
(c) A can of pepper spray.
(d) A knife.

4. What position at her college did the unnamed narrator hold during her affair with the married professor?
(a) Resident advisor.
(b) Research assistant.
(c) Dean of students.
(d) Event coordinator.

5. Which of the four women was the oldest, with the unnamed narrator stating the woman was in her early forties at the time?
(a) The unnamed narrator.
(b) Dominique.
(c) Sandra.
(d) Fran.

Short Answer Questions

1. The unnamed narrator walked out to her car with which character after the gathering of mothers had concluded?

2. What is NOT one of the feelings the unnamed narrator had toward John after she confessed to her infidelity?

3. The unnamed narrator describes Fran's speech as being like a what?

4. How did the unnamed narrator describe the movement of her mind during the gathering with other women in Fresno, 2014?

5. What kind of meal did the unnamed narrator eat before she and the man at the hotel had sex?

Short Essay Questions

1. In what way does Popkey suggest that the reader unpack their own reactions to the life events of the woman in Santa Barbara?

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

3. What object does the unnamed narrator's mother give to her in the section entitled Los Angeles, 2012 and why?

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

5. What act does the unnamed narrator describe as having been attractive due to its promise of "finite pleasure" (180)?

6. For what reason did the unnamed narrator make several attempts to commit adultery before she was successful?

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

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

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

10. What tactics did the unnamed narrator use to help herself summon enthusiasm about pursuing a pregnancy with John?

(see the answer keys)

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