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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. What concerns Sally about her appearance?

2. What happens to Sally during childbirth?

3. Why does Larry write so much during his first year of teaching?

4. Who is Larry's office mate?

5. How is Sid characterized?

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain the flashback that the author uses in Part 1: Chapter 2.

2. How do the Morgans and Langs celebrate one of Larry's early literary successes?

3. Describe the range of emotions that Larry experiences within a 24-hour period.

4. Explain how Larry and Charity are very much alike in their work ethics and life management skills.

5. Compare Sid and Larry's views on what constitutes good writing.

6. Explain the level of apprehension that Larry and Sally feel before going to a party at Sid and Charity's house.

7. What happens that gives Larry a bad premonition?

8. In spite of their challenges, what is the state of Larry and Sally's marriage?

9. What work does Larry do?

10. How are Sid and Charity described?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Furthering the Adam and Eve metaphor, the author introduces the metaphor of a snake. What is the snake in the marriage of Charity and Sid? In the relationship between the two couples? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

Why does Larry describe the Langs and the Morgans as "two Adams and Eves?" What does he mean by that? Why does the author use this metaphor? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

The Adam and Eve metaphor continues when Sally gets ill. Why does Larry know that they are about to be "banished from paradise?" What is the outcome of Larry's premonition? Is he right or wrong? Explain.

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