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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. After Nora sees Bill on television again, what does she think to herself?

2. How far along was Nora in her pregnancy when she learns that her second husband is in love with another woman?

3. Where is JFK walking to when he walks past Nora and asks her a question?

4. Where does the book she is reading in "Rapture" take her?

5. How does Nora feel about her divorces?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Nora's problem in college?

2. What does Nora believe makes a great story?

3. What is the relationship that Nora draws between the reader and a diver?

4. Why happens one day when JFK walks by Nora one day?

5. What does Nora say everyone has moments of?

6. Describe Nora's job at the White House.

7. Describe Nora's desk environment.

8. Describe Nora and Bill's relationship in the beginning?

9. What happens when Nora sees Bill on TV again?

10. What is the theme of the chapter?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the chapter titled "Le Strudel Perdu" Nora discusses the topic of loss through a very vivid description of cabbage strudel and her quest to find it after one of her favorite Hungarian bakeries closes. Nora discusses the idea of loss and the infinite quest to look for what gave you joy that is now gone forever. Write an essay about a significant loss in your life, on that you had to let go of the outcome of in order to heal. Perhaps your loss ended joyfully. Maybe it did not. Connect 3 of Nora's points on loss and letting go in your own essay, interlacing her narrative in with yours.

Essay Topic 2

Nora talks about falling in love with an apartment as part of her recovery from a broken marriage. She makes her surroundings something she loves so as to help her cope with the loss of love in her life. This action is almost literature based. Write an essay on pieces of classical literature that mirror this exact sentiment. Find 3 examples and find evidence within the prose to discuss in your analysis.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay on the Bill and Monica scandal. Looking back on this scandal, compared with the politics going on in the world at that time, does the scandal seems inconsequential? Or not? Describe 3 reasons the scandal was as blown up as it was, according to the sociological factors influencing the media at the time. Lastly, do you think the scandal should have been so publicly acknowledged? Was the media's influence on it inappropriate or do Americans have the right to know everything about their leader? Include the opinion of experts as well as your own.

(see the answer keys)

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