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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 poem has the author wondering if she is becoming an antisocial shut-in like the old woman who used to live in her neighborhood as a girl?
(a) "The Shut-in."
(b) "The Room of My Life."
(c) "The Children."
(d) "The Witch's Life."

2. How is Jesus depicted in "The Jesus Papers"?
(a) Humble.
(b) Two-faced.
(c) Headstrong.
(d) Smug.

3. What is the purpose of the first poem in Transformations?
(a) To act as an introduction and explanation.
(b) To create the author as the wicked witch.
(c) To share a fairy tale about the author's daughter.
(d) To share a fairy tale about the author's son.

4. What is the title of the poem "Rats Live On No Evil Star" based on?
(a) A nursery rhyme.
(b) A nonsensical phrase her daughter said.
(c) A fragment of a dream.
(d) A palindrome.

5. Who casts doubt on Jesus' miracles in "The Jesus Papers"?
(a) The author.
(b) John the Baptist.
(c) Judas.
(d) The Virgin Mary.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who solves the mystery of "Twelve Dancing Princesses?"?

2. What theme does the author explore in "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs"?

3. What is the theme of "Snow"?

4. What Biblical story is retold in "Jesus Walking"?

5. Where is the speaker headed in "Rowing"?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the purpose of the poem "The Gold Key"?

2. How does Sexton deal with feminism in Transformations?

3. When was The Death Notebooks published? How does this affect the poems in the collection?

4. What is the focus of Sexton's version of "Cinderella"?

5. How does Sexton view her poetry in relation to her faith?

6. Explain the premise of Transformations, and explain the title.

7. What inspired The Awful Rowing Toward God?

8. What does "Mary's Song" say about Sexton?

9. Explain Sexton's revision of "Rapunzel."

10. Compare and contrast "The Death of Fathers" with "Angels of the Love Affair."

(see the answer keys)

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