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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In the letter to the short story writer, why does Reta mention that her friend Emma lost the integrity of her body?
(a) Because she had colon cancer.
(b) Because she had a double mastectomy.
(c) Because she lost her leg.
(d) Because she can't breathe on her own.

2. Who works as a trombonist?
(a) Alicia.
(b) Roman.
(c) Danielle.
(d) Emma.

3. What does Norah use to try and put out the flames from the woman's fire?
(a) A linen shirt.
(b) A wool rug.
(c) A cotton blanket.
(d) A plastic dish rack.

4. What does Reta notice on Norah's wrists?
(a) Scratches and bruises.
(b) Scabs and tattoos.
(c) Scabs and red sores.
(d) Bandaids and gauze.

5. According to Tom, what is the cause of the condition of Norah's hands?
(a) Second-degree burns.
(b) A fight.
(c) Self-mutilation.
(d) A fall.

6. According to Reta, what is "full of isolated events"?
(a) Writing.
(b) Life.
(c) Work.
(d) Reading.

7. In the cemetery, what is the inscription beneath Mary Leland's name on her headstone?
(a) She Took Good Care of Her Children.
(b) She Took Good Care of Her Cows.
(c) She Took Good Care of Her Husband.
(d) She Took Good Care of Her Chickens.

8. Arthur tells Reta the day after Christmas that he is filled with admiration for what?
(a) Roman's faith.
(b) Alicia's goodness.
(c) Reta's talent.
(d) Norah's resolve.

9. In Reta's letter to Ford-Halpern, what is "an endless series of obstacles, an alignment of locked doors"?
(a) Danielle's obstacles.
(b) Reta's mind.
(c) Emma's loss.
(d) Norah's world.

10. What is the exception Reta is going to make regarding the letter to the short story writer?
(a) Reta is not going to send it.
(b) Reta is going to burn it.
(c) Reta is going to publish it.
(d) Reta is actually going to send it.

11. Who is Dennis Ford-Halpern?
(a) A television host.
(b) Reta's writing teacher.
(c) Norah's psychiatrist.
(d) The author of "The Goodness Gap."

12. What great themes of literature does Reta tell Helt she learned while in high school?
(a) Birth, death, work, suffering, and understanding.
(b) Birth, love, work, goodness, and sympathy.
(c) Birth, death, love, connections, work, and understanding.
(d) Birth, death, good, evil, and sympathy.

13. According to the friend who advised Reta as a young writer, what do obituaries contain?
(a) The seeds of life.
(b) The soil of life.
(c) The dough of life.
(d) The putty of life.

14. In her letter about the obituary in the Globe and Mail, what does Reta state she has missed out on?
(a) Nothing.
(b) Something definable.
(c) Everything.
(d) Some indefinable something.

15. Why does Lois knock on the door to investigate when Arthur is in the house by himself?
(a) Lois comes to investigate after seeing Arthur close the curtains.
(b) Lois comes to investigate after seeing a stranger lurking outside.
(c) Lois comes to investigate after waiting for the usual signs for dinner.
(d) Lois comes to investigate after hearing a loud noise.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Reta have difficulty carrying on a conversation with Arthur when he comes o her home for the first time?

2. Whose obituary does Reta read in the Globe and Mail?

3. What does Arthur consider the last chapter in Reta's novel to be?

4. What is the name of the hospital that Norah is in?

5. What does Arthur accidentally knock over during his first visit at Reta's?

(see the answer keys)

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