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

2. In which season did the unnamed narrator have a discussion with the lawyer who claimed to have abandoned her child?

3. The man with whom the narrator had a one-night stand granted which of the unnamed narrator's requests?

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

5. The man at the hotel told the unnamed narrator that when a woman takes what action, he knows that he must untie her and allow her to leave?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How does Popkey employ a metaphor to indicate the pain the unnamed narrator caused John with her infidelity?

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

4. When the identity of the father of the unnamed narrator's child is finally revealed, who is it?

5. What are the contents of the story that the woman in Santa Barbara told the unnamed narrator as they swam in the ocean?

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

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

8. Describe the difference between the unnamed narrator's view of therapy in 2014 and her current view.

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explicate the theme of shame within Topics of Conversation. What is Popkey’s message regarding shame and how do you know?

Essay Topic 2

Analyze the ways in which the themes of adaptability and resignation appear within Popkey’s novel Topics of Conversation. What message is Popkey sending about these two themes over the course of the narrative?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss Popkey’s use of metaphor, simile, imagery, and other literary devices as a means to send particular thematic messages within the narrative of Topics of Conversation.

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