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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. Why does Esmail become angry with his father?

2. Why does Kathy feel better realizing that Lester is married?

3. Why is Lester upset when Kathy finds him waiting at the fish camp?

4. How does Connie Walsh plan to help Kathy?

5. Why does Nadereh hang the photo of Behrani with the shah?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Lester believe Behrani deserves to be punished by him?

2. Why do you think Behrani has not been able to find work in the aerospace industry in spite of all his qualifications?

3. What do you make of Kathy's stealing the clothing and makeup she wears to visit Nadereh?

4. When Kathy explains her need to keep the house to Nadereh, what is Nadereh's concern?

5. What do you make of the fact that Kathy counts and itemizes all the kinds of alcohol in her client's house?

6. What happens to Kathy's Enemy Voice the last time she spends time with a married man?

7. What does Esmail advise his father to do after Lester's threatening visit?

8. When Behrani visualizes their happy future in America, his imagination goes beyond reality. What does he visualize that will never be possible?

9. What is Kathy's intention in calling her brother Frank, and why doesn't she do as she intended?

10. Why does Nadereh accuse Behrani of ruining their country and her life?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Uniforms have a big effect on characters in this story. Perhaps even Kathy's way of dressing is a uniform of sorts, designed to create a specific impression on the men who look at her. Using quotations from the story, discuss the effect of Behrani's uniform, Lester's uniform, or Kathy's mode of dress on themselves and the other characters.

Essay Topic 2

The breaking of promises is a significant theme in this story. Behrani, Kathy, and Lester all make vows and break them. Choose one of the three characters. Analyze the promises they make and their motivation for breaking those promises. For example, the HALT advice for addicts is useful, but ignored by Kathy. How might the story have been different if she and/or Lester had followed the HALT prescription?

Essay Topic 3

We are not told that Kathy is beautiful, but there are several instances of responses to her from men, including bystanders and passing motorists. What do these responses tell you about her? What does Lester's response to her tell you about her? In your opinion, would the story have been different if Kathy's appearance was different? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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