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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 was Sid's area of study before switching to English?

2. What happens to Sally during childbirth?

3. Where are Larry and Sally driving to?

4. Why is Larry happy to be teaching summer classes?

5. Who is Larry's office mate?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How does Sid feel about his teaching job?

3. How does the evening of the party end for the Morgans and the Langs?

4. Who is the dominant person in each of the two marriages?

5. Explain the different attitudes of Sid's and Larry's fathers regarding their sons' professions?

6. What are the plans for Larry's day?

7. What is the outcome of Sally's labor and delivery experience?

8. Explain the flashback the author uses to describe the beginning of Sid and Charity's courtship.

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

10. Describe how the author introduces the reader to Larry Morgan at the beginning of the novel?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the similarities of Larry and Sally's backgrounds. What insecurities do they share? What work ethic do they share? How have their backgrounds made them into the people they are today?

Essay Topic 2

The author begins the story in the present day and tells the story through a series of flashbacks. Why did he choose to tell his story this way? In what way is a flashback technique more interesting for a reader? In what ways is it more complicated?

Essay Topic 3

In what ways are Sally and Sid alike? In what ways are Charity and Larry alike? Could they be happy if they were to switch marriage partners? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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