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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. In Chapter 16, why does Laura want to change her court date?

2. Who is at Angela's when Irene calls the police in Chapter 18?

3. In Chapter 13, who is visiting Irene when Laura arrives?

4. What class did Lorraine and Miriam skip before they were hitchhiking?

5. How long has it been since Theo has been able to reach Carla in Chapter 17?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who stops and talks to Laura when she is banging on the door to the launderette?

2. What does Miriam remember about what happened after she and Lorraine got a ride with Jez?

3. Why does Carla not answer Theo's calls in Chapter 21?

4. What is the boat like that is moored where Daniel's boat was?

5. How did Miriam meet Theo?

6. What does Irene remember about the first Christmas after WIlliam died?

7. When was the second-to-last time that Theo saw Angela, and what did they discuss?

8. What does Laura take after getting groceries for Irene?

9. How does Laura describe Miriam in Chapter 20?

10. What happens when Irene hears someone walking around in Angela's empty home?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the novel, some characters are more thoroughly described than others. Who are some characters that are merely named in passing or have a minor role in the novel? What is the importance of these flat characters to the storyline? In what way do these characters make the main characters more colorful or interesting? When there is conflict, what type of role do these flat characters play?

Essay Topic 2

Irene knows that people like Carla look at little old ladies like her and dismiss them as dim, distracted, forgetful, and foolish. Is Irene old? How do people tend to dismiss her because of her age? What do people assume about her because of her age? Why is Irene the target of ageism?

Essay Topic 3

Laura’s parents are mostly absent in her life. How would you describe Laura’s relationship with her parents? Why is the relationship dysfunctional?

(see the answer keys)

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