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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. During dinner, after Reta and Tom have finished their work, where do Reta's thoughts turn to besides Norah?
(a) The bad news on television.
(b) The two main characters in her novel.
(c) The upcoming holidays.
(d) The wedding of her friend, Danielle.

2. Why does Reta attend a series of interviews in September?
(a) Reta attends them because she enjoys being interviewed.
(b) Reta attends them because it is part of her research.
(c) Reta attends them on behalf of her mentor.
(d) Reta attends them in order to get a raise at work.

3. How does Reta explain Norah's strange behavior to Christine and Natalie?
(a) Reta tells them Norah is living a life in pursuit of goodness.
(b) Reta tells them Norah is living a life in pursuit of beauty.
(c) Reta tells them Norah is living a life devoted to God.
(d) Reta tells them Norah is living a life of sacrifice and good will.

4. Who does Reta meet for lunch after a radio interview in Baltimore?
(a) Her mentor, Danielle.
(b) Her daughter, Christine.
(c) Her old friend, Gwen.
(d) Her editor, Arthur.

5. What prize did Reta's novel, "My Thyme is Up," win the previous year?
(a) The Pulitzer Prize.
(b) The Offenden Prize.
(c) The Man Booker Prize.
(d) The Nobel Prize.

6. What is undrinkable according to Colin?
(a) Green tea.
(b) Red wine.
(c) Reta's coffee.
(d) Tom's lemonade.

7. What is Reta's struggle about what a writer of fiction should give the reader?
(a) How much her characters should be like her readers.
(b) How much background information should be given.
(c) How many points of view should be given.
(d) How many metaphors and similes should be used.

8. Who suddenly dies at Scribano & Lawrence?
(a) Mrs. Scribano.
(b) Mrs. Lawrence.
(c) Mr. Lawrence.
(d) Mr. Scribano.

9. Why does Reta decide not to attend the funeral for the person at Scribano & Lawrence?
(a) Because Reta cannot handle more grief.
(b) Because Reta does not know the person who died very well.
(c) Because Reta thinks the person who died was not good.
(d) Because Reta is going to see Norah instead.

10. What do Tom and the girls see as a contradiction about the American event they are fixated on?
(a) They see the election results in Florida as a contradiction to the checks and balances system in the constitution.
(b) They see the Indy 500 as a contradiction to public concern for safety.
(c) They see the Kentucky Derby as a contradiction to government regulation of gambling.
(d) They see the presidential speech as a contradiction to the realities of the Iraq war.

11. According to Ben, Norah had become uncharacteristically __________ and __________ in the few weeks prior to her disappearance.
(a) Calm; peaceful.
(b) Manic; jumpy.
(c) Depressed; lethargic.
(d) Irritable; short-tempered.

12. How does Tessa discover the mystery of Norah's disappearance six months prior?
(a) Tessa runs into Norah outside the Toronto library.
(b) Tessa's mother sees Norah walking down Bloor and Bathurst in Toronto.
(c) Tessa discovers Norah's diary in the Orangetown Library.
(d) Tessa finds Norah panhandling outside the subway in Toronto.

13. What is the name of the previous owners of Reta and Tom's Ontario farmhouse?
(a) McGafferty.
(b) McGregor.
(c) McGinn.
(d) McGuffin.

14. What exercise does Reta find repellent?
(a) Writing her book.
(b) Vacuuming her house.
(c) Counting her blessings.
(d) Researching her novel.

15. What does Norah ask Reta about their family when she is nine years-old?
(a) Norah asks Reta whether or not they are from Canada.
(b) Norah asks Reta whether or not her parents are married.
(c) Norah asks Reta whether or not her parents are Catholic.
(d) Norah asks Reta whether or not she is adopted.

Short Answer Questions

1. How are Reta and Danielle different?

2. How does Reta approach Norah when she visits her in early November?

3. What draft does Arthur ask Reta to send him?

4. What two actual events do Reta's writer friends also discuss at the Orange Blossom Room?

5. What is the name of Reta's friend, a medical journalist who lives in Newfoundland?

(see the answer keys)

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