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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 mysterious illness does Karen Cooper have?

2. Who is Toby's first date with after he gets divorced?

3. What number is Karen Cooper on the transplant list in Section 3?

4. How many people had Toby slept with before he married Rachel?

5. Who is Lexi Leffer?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Hannah crying in Section 3?

2. What is happening in Elizabeth's life when Toby reaches out to her?

3. In Section 3, how and why does Solly go to sleepover camp?

4. Who is Karen Cooper and how does she come into contact with Toby in Section 1?

5. Who is Archer Sylvan and why is he important in Section 1?

6. How does Toby describe the first time Rachel met Toby's parents?

7. How does Toby feel about the Mediation he and Rachel go to in Section 3?

8. In Section 2, what does Seth say about marriage?

9. According to Toby, why does he only want to date women his own age?

10. What does Toby buy for Hannah in Section 3, and why does he do it?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What happens to Karen Cooper in the novel? Why would Brodesser-Anker include the character of Karen Cooper? What could she and her disease symbolize?

Essay Topic 2

What happens with Hannah at camp? What does this incident say about Toby and Rachel's parenting? How does it add to the theme of sexuality in the novel?

Essay Topic 3

Think about Toby and Rachel's childhoods. How did each of their childhoods impact them as adults and add to the breakdown of their marriage?

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