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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What do Reta, Tom, Christine, and Natalie do in the car in Toronto?
(a) They talk about their feelings and cry.
(b) They ponder the future and laugh.
(c) They share memories of Norah and laugh.
(d) They stare out the windshield and cry.

2. Why does Reta also chide Valkner about his article "The History of Dictionaries"?
(a) For attempting to discuss all literature instead of narrowing his focus.
(b) For including male writers that are blatantly sexist.
(c) For his patronizing tone in discussing some of the great female writers of the century.
(d) For failing to mention some of the century's great female writers.

3. What are the two main characters' names in the sequel to Reta's first novel?
(a) Amy and Richard.
(b) Alice and Robert.
(c) Alicia and Roman.
(d) Andrea and Ramon.

4. Why does Reta write a letter of complaint to an editor of a literary magazine about a series of books called "Great Minds of the Western Intellectual World"?
(a) Because the books only focus on Western intellectuals.
(b) Because her books are left out of the list.
(c) Because most of the books feature 19th century women.
(d) Because none of the books feature women writers.

5. What has Reta attempted to talk about with her daughters regarding sex?
(a) Reta has attempted to share her own experiences.
(b) Reta has attempted to talk about birth control.
(c) Reta has attempted to convince them to wait until marriage.
(d) Reta has attempted to find out if they are having sex.

Short Answer Questions

1. According to Reta, young adults live in an age of prolonged _________and protracted__________.

2. Why does Arthur ask Reta to send him a draft?

3. Why does Reta become angry at the male author being interviewed on the literary television show?

4. What is the name of the previous owners of Reta and Tom's Ontario farmhouse?

5. What is the name of Reta's friend, a medical journalist who lives in Newfoundland?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Reta's husband Tom do for a living and how is it significant concerning Norah's absence?

2. How does Reta respond to the death of Mr. Scribano and how is it significant?

3. Why does Reta view her trip to the library as a way of reconnecting with Norah?

4. How does the American election results in Florida that Tom, Christine, and Natalie watch relate to Norah's absence?

5. Why does Arthur love Alicia as a character and why is it significant?

6. Describe Reta's peculiar behavior when she visits Norah in early November.

7. During Norah's visit from university the previous year, Reta states that she knew how "wildly out control" Norah was, how "she'd become dangerous to her own being." Describe why Reta comes to this conclusion.

8. Why does Reta initially think Norah's problems may have stemmed from her relationship with Ben Abbot?

9. What does Reta do each month that indicates her attempt to live up to an idea of "goodness?"

10. Describe Reta Winter's thoughts and feelings as the novel opens.

(see the answer keys)

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