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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. When the unnamed narrator tells the story of her one-night stand from the beginning, what type of music drew her into a fancy hotel?

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

3. In what location does the section entitled Santa Barbara, 2016 open?

4. When the unnamed narrator tells the group of women about the professor's control of her, she tells a story about what object?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. How did the unnamed narrator always feel about the prospect of having a baby?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Sensory details are used frequently by Popkey in order to create vivid pictures of each character's progression through the narrative of Topics of Conversation. Choose three scenes in which sensory details are heavily used and discuss how the sensory details used serve Popkey’s creation of vivid characters to populate the narrative.

Essay Topic 2

Trace the characterization arc of the unnamed narrator's character throughout the novel Topics of Conversation. Discuss whether she is a round or flat character and whether she is a static or dynamic character.

Essay Topic 3

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?

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