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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 what country is Jack's new job located?

2. What is Judith's profession in "Our Friend Judith"?

3. What type of job does Jack take after his father's death?

4. What fowl does Hetty sometimes eat?

5. What does the woman in #136 bring when interrupting Susan?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Hetty originally willing to move from the streets to an official home and what stops her?

2. What does Catherine learn from Isaac Babel?

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

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

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

6. Why does Susan think she is a hypocrite prior to her death?

7. What is the premise of "Homage for Isaac Babel"?

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

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

10. What seems to be missing from Matthew and Susan's life as their marriage extends?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is the overall setting for the stories in the book? Be sure to include geography, time period and any pertinent popular culture events. Why did Lessing choose to use these places in the stories?

Essay Topic 2

Choose three characters from different stories and then project into the future ten years and write a brief synopsis for their lives. Be sure to include geography, marital status, work, socialization, etc.

Essay Topic 3

Create a character study of Hetty Pennefather in "An Old Woman and Her Cat". What are her physical characteristics? What are her motivations? What are her fears? What are her dreams? What else can you say about Hetty?

(see the answer keys)

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