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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. Who was Lucy's Scottish surgeon that thought the surgery was too radical?

2. Lucy refused to lie to Ann and told her that __________________________.

3. Lucy was considering a new surgery that would take a ______________ from her body to form her jaw.

4. In their last conversation, how often did Ann and Lucy agree to talk to each other?

5. In what city did Ann buy a house?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why did Ann not tell Lucy she was coming to New York for a movie premiere and book party?

2. Even though she had career success, Lucy felt that romantic love was missing in her life. What did she do to try to remedy that situation?

3. What were the circumstances of Lucy's death?

4. What was Lucy's pattern of happiness and depression?

5. What was the radical surgery Lucy was considering and later told Ann and Karl about?

6. What was Lucy's first suicide attempt, and how did she try to convince Ann that her life was better?

7. What name did Ann and Lucy come up with to describe their bad times with Lucy's addictions and suicide attempts?

8. What did Ann find especially alarming when Lucy read an essay at a Provincetown reading?

9. What kind of help did Lucy seek for her addictions, and how did she lie about what she was really doing?

10. Describe Lucy's health in Chapter 15.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The author uses more than one iteration on the theme of regret. Identify at least two examples about regret in the book. Then explain how each example supports the theme of regret.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss Ann Patchett's writing style. How is she different from other writers of her time? What are some of her characteristic writing techniques? Identify some examples of her classic style in TRUTH & BEAUTY.

Essay Topic 3

It has been said that creative people such as writers and artists have some degree of mental illness which makes their work brilliant. Explain whether or not you think mental illness shaped Lucy's life and work.

(see the answer keys)

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