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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In January, what has Reta left in limbo since her last conversation with Arthur Springer?
(a) Talking to Danielle.
(b) Writing her novel.
(c) Visiting Norah.
(d) Translating Danielle's book.

2. What does Reta think most people would assume about the inscription on Mary Leland's headstone?
(a) That Mary would be proud.
(b) That Mary's life was hard.
(c) That the stone mason made a mistake.
(d) That the inscription is apt.

3. Arthur tells Reta the day after Christmas that he is filled with admiration for what?
(a) Reta's talent.
(b) Roman's faith.
(c) Alicia's goodness.
(d) Norah's resolve.

4. In her letter about the obituary in the Globe and Mail, what kind of days does Reta write that she is going through?
(a) Fearful.
(b) Bleak.
(c) Unhappy.
(d) Dismal.

5. Why does Reta think that novel writing is perhaps a pointless exercise?
(a) Because there is so much moral injustice in the world.
(b) Because there are fewer readers interested in them.
(c) Because it has not helped her heal from Norah's absence.
(d) Because she is afraid that she lacks talent to continue.

6. What date does Arthur Springer agree to meet with Reta in 2001?
(a) January 4th.
(b) January 2nd.
(c) January 19th.
(d) January 30th.

7. According to Reta, what can "help us turn down the volume of our own interior discourse"?
(a) Nature.
(b) Work.
(c) Novels.
(d) Family.

8. What does Natalie remind her family about how long Norah has been wearing her garden gloves?
(a) That Norah has been wearing them since the previous fall.
(b) That Norah has been wearing them since the previous spring.
(c) That Norah has been wearing them since the previous winter.
(d) That Norah has been wearing them since the previous summer.

9. Who is elected Prime Minister again?
(a) Jean Chretrien.
(b) Kim Campbell.
(c) Pierre Trudeau.
(d) John Turner.

10. What assessment does Helt have of Reta's first novel?
(a) That it was quickly written and a light read.
(b) That it was well-written and complex.
(c) That it was entertaining but poorly written.
(d) That it was laborious and difficult to understand.

11. According to the friend who advised Reta as a young writer, what do obituaries contain?
(a) The seeds of life.
(b) The putty of life.
(c) The soil of life.
(d) The dough of life.

12. Why does Arthur tell Reta the day after Christmas that he has been up all night?
(a) Because he has not received her book.
(b) Because he is concerned Reta will miss a deadline.
(c) Because her book needs a lot of work.
(d) Because he has been thinking about Alicia.

13. In her letter to the short story writer, Reta hints that a single _________ moment was caught on videotape.
(a) Horrifying.
(b) Terrifying.
(c) Extraordinary.
(d) Wonderful.

14. What does Reta find "ugly, vast, and arresting" as she and Tom walk in the cemetery?
(a) The icy field.
(b) The sky above them.
(c) A stone monument.
(d) An old oak tree.

15. Who tells Reta and Tom that "Vagrancy can be thoughtful or careless; she has chosen the latter"?
(a) Danielle Westerman.
(b) Ben Abbot.
(c) Norah's professor.
(d) A psychiatrist.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who works as a trombonist?

2. What month does Reta finally meet Arthur Springer for the first time at her home?

3. What is Norah doing when Reta first sees her in the hospital?

4. What does Norah do when Reta attempts to forcibly remove her from her street corner?

5. What does Arthur consider the last chapter in Reta's novel to be?

(see the answer keys)

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