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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 initials do Alexandra and J share?

2. What social media platform for posting mainly photos do Alexandra and her friends and colleagues frequent?

3. What neighborhood in San Francisco do Alexandra and J live in?

4. What is one of life's top-five stressors, according to a former coworker of Alexandra's?

5. What does Alexandra write on the floor of the apartments she leaves?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Alexandra ultimately decide about her job when she moves to Ithaca?

2. How does Alexandra feel about her job in Part I?

3. What kind of liberals does a junior high teacher of Alexandra's say Davis was full of?

4. What is the relationship between Alexandra's parents like?

5. Why does Alexandra ask her mother what she thought of Nashville when she arrived there in 1982?

6. What kind of advice does Tim give to Alexandra in Part I?

7. In Part II, what does Alexandra feel is a huge relief?

8. What does Alexandra think when her company finally gives her a raise?

9. How does Alexandra feel about social media platforms like Instagram?

10. In Part II, what does Alexandra discover about Kevin that makes her even more dissatisfied with her job?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What stories from Alexandra's family resonate most strongly with her, and why? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 2

What are the nuances and complications that define Alexandra's feelings about her relationship with J early in the novel? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 3

What does Yamei Kin's story represent to Alexandra, and what lessons does she seem to take from Kin's life? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

(see the answer keys)

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