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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 happened to Eileen Divine?

2. Why does Dr. Lynn not prescribe chloroform for Mary?

3. Why does Dr. Lynn open the top window all the way?

4. What type of thread would Dr. Lynn have preferred to use on Delia’s sutures?

5. Who is Julia Power?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are four nicknames given for the deadly influenza pandemic?

2. Julia is contemplative on her commute home from the hospital in "Brown." Of what does she think?

3. What is the purpose for all the posted signs throughout the novel?

4. What are two examples given at the beginning of "Red" that there is disease in the city?

5. Why does Julia count herself lucky, regarding the pandemic?

6. How does Julia describe what she calls a “weird malady?”

7. What condition does Tim have? How did this occur?

8. What does Bridie notice about Ita soon before she begins to convulse? How is this significant?

9. Where had Julia planned on going for her short vacation? Why did she not get to go on leave?

10. What is done with Delia's stilborn baby's body? Why is it not an issue, according to Julia?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the hospital, there are strict rules and procedures when dealing with patients. Why do these rules exist? Do they seem essential? Are they effective? If so, how? If not, why not?

Essay Topic 2

Homosexual love is brought up multiple times in this story. Describe these relationships. Why might the author have chosen to include these relationships in the story? What might these unconventional relationships be connected to the title of the book?

Essay Topic 3

From where does the name influenza come? What is the significance of this? How does this term, its meaning, and events in the story change Julia’s view of free will and fate?

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