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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. How is Sidra described as an employee?

2. What is the name of the place where Sidra works?

3. What religious faith was Hadley raised in?

4. Where does Hadley move after failing her genetic screening?

5. Where are women allowed to go to borrow babies in "Graceful Burdens"?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the area where the library babies stay until they are checked out.

2. What happens in "Graceful Burdens" once a woman is deemed suitable for procreation?

3. Why is Sidra hired for the caretaker position at the Omaha Public Library?

4. What is Hadley's life in Omaha like after she moves following her failed genetic screening?

5. Where are library babies sent when they turn three?

6. What is the baby lending process at the Omaha Public Library?

7. What do some wealthy women do if they fail genetic screening?

8. Describe the card catalog in the library at the start of "Graceful Burdens."

9. What happens in "Graceful Burdens" to women when they reach the age of 16?

10. What happens when Hadley tells her family she failed her genetic screening?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay exploring the themes of freedom and control in "Graceful Burdens." What images, objects, actions, or symbols represent these themes? Use strong textual evidence to support your exploration.

Essay Topic 2

Write a brief essay analyzing the title "Graceful Burdens." Explore the ways in which this title connects to the plot and themes of the story.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay examining the babies and motherhood as a symbol in "Graceful Burdens." In what scenes does this seem most significant? What is the context? How do these work to develop the narrative?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 610 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample