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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. In "Death by Clamshell," what happened to the men who hurt Hypatia in the afterlife?

2. In "Airborne," what does Myrna complain about?

3. In "Metempsychosis," where does Amber/Snail go that proves to be of no help?

4. In "Wooden Box," what strangely appears on Tig?

5. In "A Dusty Lunch," what was the name of Nell’s war-time coffee?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Nell speak about in her short/real letter to Stevie?

2. What does Nell not want Stevie to do about her belief that Tig is not really gone and why?

3. What did Brig do in the mornings of his Muskoka family cottage?

4. Describe the circumstances of Amber/Snail’s death.

5. How do the women respond to Hypatia’s death?

6. Describe the playground game of monopoly; what are the altered rules?

7. What is the purpose of the ladies’ gathering and what do they worry about?

8. What is going on with Leonie’s husband?

9. What happened to their friend with breast cancer?

10. Explain the significance of marmalade making?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay explaining how Atwood’s use of frame story helps illustrate and enhance the overall story’s meaning in "Impatient Griselda " or "Two Scorched Men." Select elements that the frame story addresses that play a larger thematic role in the overall story.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay explaining how the title of any of Atwood’s short stories helps illustrate their meaning. Explain how her choice of diction, humor, or subject guides the reader in a purposeful direction.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay arguing whether technology would or would not have made a difference in Tig and Nell’s near-death experiences from “First Aid.” Be sure to use specific instances of imagery to back up your points.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 834 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample