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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 item did the man throw onto the floor in anger?

2. What is the name of the chef in "Deportation at Breakfast?"

3. You should always do what to bread to make sure that it's fresh?

4. What is the chef cooking when he is arrested?

5. The boys cover the birds with which of the following:

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens to the babies in "The Parents?"

2. Discuss the scene in the restaurant in "Deportation at Breakfast."

3. Girl: The mother gives the daughter several references about becoming what?

4. What is the thing that seems to bother the woman most in "The Haircut?"

5. Discuss the odd behavior in the town described in "A Chronicler's Sin."

6. Discuss the interruptions faced by the man in "The Continuity of Parks."

7. What happens when Louise finds Teddy on the floor in "Teddy's Canary?"

8. What is the most interesting thing about the people at "108 John Street?"

9. Discuss the life of the young girl in "The Restraints."

10. Discuss Jane's attitude in "Jane." What does Jane do instead of follow her parents' orders?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

"Corners" is a story about three sisters, Mildred, Marie, and Jessie. Marie dies. Examine the process each sister must go through to come to terms with Marie's death. Who is the eldest sister? How does each handle Marie's death? Explain how Jessie's behavior is colored by jealousy as much as grief. Also examine how Mildred tries to cheer Jessie. Discuss sibling rivalry.

Essay Topic 2

"Snapshot, Harvey Cedars: 1948" tells the tale of a woman's memories of her parents. The woman looks at a family photo fondly, remembering her dad's dreams of becoming a builder. The mother's body language is telling and unusual. Examine the mother's body language in the photo and the daughter's views. Do you think it is possible that the woman had some type of premonition or is the woman's body language a coincidence? If the woman had a premonition, do you think she was aware of it? Study the possibilities. Examine the daughter's thoughts regarding her father's suicide.

Essay Topic 3

A couple argues incessantly in "Blackberries." Why does the couple argue? Study the couple's dynamic to understand why they argue constantly. Are the issues they argue about important? Does the couple argue simply to argue? What can be done to change the couple's dynamic? Can the couple's relationship possibly be healthy? Also investigate how two people can argue without being hurtful, e.g., using "I" statements.

(see the answer keys)

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