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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. Why does Arthur Springer call Reta the day after Christmas?

2. Who works as a trombonist?

3. According to Reta, what can "help us turn down the volume of our own interior discourse"?

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

5. What title does Arthur suggest for Reta's novel?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Reta make an exception in sending her letter to Russell Sandor, a short story writer?

2. According to Reta, what is the "worry word" of life and why is it significant?

3. Why does Reta feel that Arthur's suggestion to focus on Roman instead of Alicia is an egregious one?

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

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

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

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

8. What is Reta's impression of Arthur Springer when she finally meets him at her home in January and how do they get into a heated discussion?

9. In her letter about the death of Peter Harding, how does Reta compare herself to Norah?

10. Why does an older friend of Reta's advise her to read obituaries as a young writer?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the role of setting in the novel, responding to the following questions:

1. What facts about the city of Toronto relate directly or indirectly to the lives of the characters?

2. What facts about the time in which the novel is set, 2000-2001, relate directly or indirectly to the novel's themes and overall meaning?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the significance of goodness in the novel as an idea and a catalyst for change, responding to the following questions:

1. What does the concept of goodness mean to Reta?

2. What does the concept of goodness mean to Norah?

3. What is the overall message of goodness as an idea in the novel?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the role of family in the novel, responding to the following questions:

1. What responsibilities do family members share?

2. Does Shields portray the Winters family as being functional or dysfunctional?

3. How are the Winters family members treated?

4. Who is accepted as a family member and who is not?

(see the answer keys)

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