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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 is another of the four places babies may be sent to when they age out of the lending program?

2. Why do some women return their borrowed babies quickly?

3. What did Hadley's parents do when she failed her genetic screening?

4. What is one of the four places babies may be sent to when they age out of the lending program?

5. How long are women allowed to check out borrowed babies?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay describing the imagery used in "Graceful Burdens." Indicate examples of imagery in the text and identify possible meanings.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay analyzing narrative voice in Roxane Gay's “Graceful Burdens.” Include thoughts on how the narrative voice of the story is effective in conveying the story’s themes of control, gender, and freedom.

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)

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