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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. Who is Dennis Ford-Halpern?
(a) Reta's writing teacher.
(b) The author of "The Goodness Gap."
(c) Norah's psychiatrist.
(d) A television host.

2. What does Norah do when Reta attempts to forcibly remove her from her street corner?
(a) She screams.
(b) She hits Reta.
(c) She sits passively.
(d) She runs away.

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

4. Who has been appointed to a university Chair in Theology?
(a) Emily Helt.
(b) Emma Allen.
(c) Danielle Westerman.
(d) Gemma Walsh.

5. What newspaper does Emily Helt write for?
(a) The Chicago Tribune.
(b) The Washington Post.
(c) The New York Times.
(d) The Los Angeles Times.

Short Answer Questions

1. In what month does Reta write her letter to Ford-Halpern?

2. In the letter to the short story writer, why does Reta mention that her friend Emma lost the integrity of her body?

3. In the cemetery, what is the inscription beneath Mary Leland's name on her headstone?

4. What does Tom think Norah might be suffering from?

5. Who works as a trombonist?

Short Essay Questions

1. At the hospital, what does Natalie reveal about the injuries to Norah's hands?

2. Why does Arthur Springer call one day after Christmas and what is Reta's response?

3. Describe Reta and Lois's relationship.

4. According to Gemma Walsh, Reta's friend who has been appointed Chair of Theology, the Christian faith is balance on the words "already" and "not yet." Why does Reta find this significant?

5. Why don't the Winters' want to discuss the fact that Norah probably gave her Christmas package away?

6. What does Reta notice on Norah's wrists that cause Tom to forget his trilobites and research stress and trauma?

7. Why is Lois's conversation with Arthur when she comes over to investigate about dinner significant?

8. When Tom calls to inform Reta that Norah is in the hospital, how does the point of view change in the novel?

9. What is Lois's true opinion of what happened to Norah that she is afraid to express?

10. According to Reta, why is goodness not a guaranteed virtue?

(see the answer keys)

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