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

Multiple Choice Questions

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

2. What is Norah doing when Reta first sees her in the hospital?
(a) Reading.
(b) Praying.
(c) Eating.
(d) Sleeping.

3. According to the Chair in Theology, what faith is balanced on words "already" and "not yet?"
(a) The Christian faith.
(b) The Protestant faith.
(c) The Jewish faith.
(d) The Lutheran faith.

4. Who does Arthur frighten when he accidentally knocks over the object at Reta's house?
(a) Christine.
(b) Pet.
(c) Natalie.
(d) Reta.

5. What does Tom think Norah might be suffering from?
(a) Bipolar disorder.
(b) Post-traumatic stress syndrome.
(c) Amnesia.
(d) Depression.

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

7. What is the exception Reta is going to make regarding the letter to the short story writer?
(a) Reta is not going to send it.
(b) Reta is going to publish it.
(c) Reta is going to burn it.
(d) Reta is actually going to send it.

8. What does Reta remember about Tom's childhood as they walk in the cemetery?
(a) She remembers that Tom ran away from home.
(b) She remembers that his mother was a terrible housekeeper.
(c) She remembers that his father was in the army.
(d) She remembers that his family lost their fortune.

9. In her letter to Ford-Halpern, how does Reta think other daughters can be protected from Norah's fate?
(a) By imposing stricter vagrancy laws.
(b) By sacrificing happiness for honor.
(c) By allowing them to be fully human.
(d) By giving speeches across the country.

10. What is the woman who sets herself on fire outside of Honest Ed's wearing?
(a) A veil and gown.
(b) A habit.
(c) Jeans and t-shirt.
(d) A dress.

11. Why does Lois knock on the door to investigate when Arthur is in the house by himself?
(a) Lois comes to investigate after seeing a stranger lurking outside.
(b) Lois comes to investigate after waiting for the usual signs for dinner.
(c) Lois comes to investigate after hearing a loud noise.
(d) Lois comes to investigate after seeing Arthur close the curtains.

12. What do Reta and Tom speculate about Norah's wrists?
(a) Whether Norah has used a razor in a suicide attempt.
(b) Whether Norah has fallen and hurt herself.
(c) Whether Norah has made unsavory friends.
(d) Whether someone else has hurt Norah.

13. In her letter about the obituary in the Globe and Mail, what does Reta state she has missed out on?
(a) Some indefinable something.
(b) Everything.
(c) Nothing.
(d) Something definable.

14. In Reta's letter to Ford-Halpern, what is "an endless series of obstacles, an alignment of locked doors"?
(a) Emma's loss.
(b) Reta's mind.
(c) Danielle's obstacles.
(d) Norah's world.

15. What items are NOT in the package Christine and Natalie bring Norah after Christmas break?
(a) A thermos and gloves.
(b) A brush and comb.
(c) A tracksuit and soap.
(d) Fruit and chocolate.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the short story writer's name who Reta writes a letter to?

2. After Reta discovers Norah's wrists, what does Tom leave for Norah when he sees her in Toronto?

3. According to Reta, what is "full of isolated events"?

4. What is the name of the hospital that Norah is in?

5. Why does Reta think that novel writing is perhaps a pointless exercise?

(see the answer keys)

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