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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 it about the Orion Room that makes Kathy dizzy?

2. What bad news does Lester bring Kathy after he visits two more lawyers?

3. Why does Behrani wear his best clothes for the appointment with Connie Walsh?

4. Why is Kathy upset when Nadereh says she resembles Soraya?

5. Why does Behrani's uncle kill Jasmeen?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Why does Behrani ask Kathy if she thinks he is stupid?

3. Why is Kathy surprised when the officers come to evict her from her home?

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

5. How is Kathy like Behrani in her outlook on life?

6. In the interview with Connie Walsh, what does she indicate that Behrani should do?

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

8. Why does Behrani say that he is not a man of faith?

9. How does Kathy feel about her drinking when she is in the motel with Lester, and why is it important to the story?

10. What is the BEAST that Kathy has been taught to avoid?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

One definition of addiction is behavior that we continue even when we get negative consequences or when we know our actions are bad for us. When Kathy is waiting for something to happen, rather than taking action, she watches movies back to back, often without remembering what she has watched. Are movies another addiction for her? Can things that are not chemical be addictive? List Kathy's addictions and discuss the effect they have on her life.

Essay Topic 2

Main characters in this story reach a point where each feels that he is through with lies and deception. Analyze the importance of deception in this story. What does each of the men pretend to be that he is not? What do you think Dubus is trying to teach us about lies?

Essay Topic 3

Lester has said that he loves and admires his wife. Why do you think he is willing to cause such pain to someone he loves and admires? Do you think he is surprised when she comes to the sheriff's office and creates a scene? Using quotations and facts from the story, analyze Lester's relationship with his wife.

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