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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. What item does Florence flirtatiously accept from Edward during their wedding night dinner at the hotel?
(a) A ring of pineapple.
(b) A piece of melon.
(c) A sprig of parsley.
(d) A cherry.

2. What had NOT been on the list of Edward and Florence's fears in regard to their parents' behavior at the wedding?
(a) They had feared that Edward's father would not attend the ceremony.
(b) They had feared that Edward's mother would significantly misbehave.
(c) They had feared that Edward's mother would forget the purpose of the event entirely.
(d) They had feared that Edward's parents would condescend to Florence's parents.

3. When Edward wonders whether he should find a proper job instead of pursuing his writing, what job does he imagine taking?
(a) History teacher at a grammar school.
(b) History professor at a university.
(c) History teacher at a high school.
(d) History teacher at a middle school.

4. For what reason is Florence "an old hand" (3) at traveling?
(a) She used to travel with her mother.
(b) She was in the Peace Corps prior to marrying Edward.
(c) She used to travel with her father.
(d) Her family moved a great deal when she was young.

5. The narrator reveals that Florence and Edward "regarded themselves as too" what "to believe in destiny" (45)?
(a) Philosophical.
(b) Smart.
(c) Sophisticated.
(d) Religious.

Short Answer Questions

1. What word brings to Florence's mind "nothing but pain, flesh parted before a knife" (8)?

2. The narrator names Edward's "one serious unphysical pastime" as what?

3. What does Edward do with Florence's hand in the movie theater that causes Florence to leap out of her seat?

4. Which composer is NOT listed among Florence's favorites?

5. At what sport had Florence been adept in "her school sports days" (17)?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the author use historical context in order to shed light on Florence and Edward's behavior during their wedding night dinner?

2. What is the event that galvanizes Edward's determination to marry Florence?

3. What is the significance of Florence's feelings about the word "penetration"? (8)

4. What beliefs does Edward draw from listening to blues music at the Hundred Club?

5. In a rare moment of assertiveness, Florence tells her mother Violet that she is disappointed in her. What reason does she give for her disappointment?

6. What phenomenon does Florence witness when it comes to girls her age getting boyfriends and how does her realization shape her behavior?

7. How is irony employed within the narrator's description of the moment Edward asks Florence to marry him?

8. What does the television set symbolize within the narrative?

9. What is the author's purpose for including the detail that on the cover of Florence's paperback guide for brides is "portrayed two smiling bug-eyed matchstick figures holding hands, drawn clumsily in white chalk, as though by an innocent child" (12)?

10. What is the effect of Florence finding the penciled performance notes in the trash at the concert hall?

(see the answer keys)

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