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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 does Susan do when Matthew admits to having an affair?

2. What profession does Maureen pursue?

3. What revives Hetty enough that she thinks she might live through the winter?

4. How many children do Susan and Matthew eventually have?

5. Maureen and Shirley are ________________.

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Maureen's father's perspective on Maureen's life?

2. What is the premise of "A Room"?

3. What does Jack's dream reveal to him?

4. What is the premise of "An Old Woman and Her Cat"?

5. What does the potter symbolize in "Two Potters"?

6. What is the premise of "Our Friend Judith"?

7. What was life like for Matthew and Susan Rawlings prior to their marriage?

8. How do Maureen and Shirley become friends in "Notes for a Case History"?

9. What could be the double meanings for the title, "Between Men"?

10. What does Jack do with his life after the death of his father?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The author uses more than one iteration on the theme of disappointment. Identify at least two characters in the stories who either embody or experience disappointment then cite an example to support your answers.

Essay Topic 2

Several of Lessing's works are classic stories of loss and renewal. What does that classification entail? Why do some of the stories fit into this category? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

Betrayal is an important theme in the stories. Can you cite an example to support this theme? Name two other themes and cite examples to support your answer.

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