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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 does Sally ask Larry to do?

2. What does Charity insist that she is doing?

3. What do the Langs and Morgans plan to do at the end of the summer?

4. What does Sally need to help her get around?

5. What has Charity planned?

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain the method that Sally has of categorizing her memories.

2. What is the situation the characters find themselves in when the novel returns to the present day in 1972?

3. Why does Larry consider their year in Italy to be one of the best and most youthful for Sally and him?

4. How do the Charity, Sid and Sally remain in character when facing Charity's imminent death?

5. How is Charity able to assert some control over Larry's life while her own husband resists her attempts?

6. How has Sid and Charity's home changed from the time the Langs first saw it in 1938?

7. Why is this chapter the climax of the book?

8. Although Larry and Sally never had the advantages or financial ease that Sid and Charity did, they seem to have a better marriage. Explain how the author reveals this.

9. How has the necessity for rescue changed between the two couples?

10. How do Sally's memories provide a different perspective about Charity for Hallie?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the similarities of Sid and Charity's backgrounds. What insecurities do they share? What confidences do they share? How have their backgrounds made them into the people they are today?

Essay Topic 2

Larry's job loss is an opportunity for Charity to work her connections to find him a job. Why is Larry open to Charity's help when her own husband rejects all her attempts to further his career? Explain.

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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