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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. George's mother died as a result of experiencing an allergic reaction to what kind of drug?
(a) An opiate.
(b) A vitamin.
(c) An antibiotic.
(d) A sleeping pill.

2. Though George believes the girl in the pornographic video must be at least 16 "due to legality," (189) she thinks that she looks to be what age?
(a) 12.
(b) 14.
(c) 13.
(d) 18.

3. In what way had George's mother reacted to George's confession?
(a) She demanded an apology.
(b) She yelled.
(c) She laughed.
(d) She ran out of the room.

4. What objects had George's mother liked to keep until a particular Subvert project was done?
(a) Staples.
(b) Pencil shavings.
(c) Photographs.
(d) Paper trimmings.

5. George and H develop a studying technique that involves what form of literature?
(a) Songs.
(b) Poems.
(c) Memoirs.
(d) Short stories.

Short Answer Questions

1. What was the difference in age between George's mother and father at the time of their wedding?

2. Once H has departed from George's house, the narrator states of George, "She is not a girl. She is a" (246) what?

3. In what month did George's mother want to watch a meteor shower?

4. People not well-acquainted with H call her by what name?

5. Which piece of information did George's mother forget during their visit to the museum, causing George to want to look it up on her mother's phone?

Short Essay Questions

1. Discuss an instance when Smith injects humor into a memory George has of her late mother.

2. Discuss a metaphor Smith uses to indicate George's concern that she may be unable to love.

3. What clues led George to think that her mother had been put under surveillance prior to her death?

4. What kinds of conflicts have been revealed so far within the text? Give a brief example of at least two conflicts unfolding at the center of the text.

5. What does the shopping cart within the narrative represent in the scene at "the car park" (231)?

6. What does George tell her father after he discovers her in the garden engaging in her daily ritual?

7. Give an example of a piece of dialogue in How to Be Both that reflects the theme of connection.

8. For what reason is George unable to find out what songs her mother had danced to during her morning ritual?

9. How did George's mother react to George's confession about Lisa?

10. What is the significance of the record album entitled Tell Laura I Love Her?

(see the answer keys)

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