ESL 098The Memory Keeper’s Daughter

TMKD 2: pp. 125-237Kim Edwards

Comprehension Questions

1970: May 1970, Chapter I

  1. How old are Paul and Phoebe when this section begins? ______
  2. According to Norah, what’s one big difference between her and Kay Marshall?______
  3. What is something that Norah has begun doing with regularity?______
  4. What does Bree say to Norah that upsets her?______
  5. What kind of a doctor is David?______
  6. Who helps him to deliver the twins?______
  7. When Phoebe is delivered, Caroline says, “I’m sorry, doctor.” Why does she say this?______
  8. On p. 20, “He closed his eyes and when he could speak again more words came, unplanned.” What might it tell you about David’s intentions?______

1970: May 1970, Chapter II

  1. What do David and Paul collect?______
  2. TRUEFALSEDavid has never tried to find Phoebe and Caroline?
  3. What does David have in common with Bree’s boyfriend? ______
  4. What happens to Paul at the party?______
  5. Skeletons in the closet…bone dry…I have a bone to pick with you. What do these sayings mean?______
  6. How does David feel about Norah’s new job? How do you know?______

1970: June 1970

  1. What are two things that Phoebe has in common with Caroline, according to Doro and Leo?______
  2. Why is Caroline going in front of the Board of Education?______
  3. What are Al and Caroline doing when Phoebe gets stung by the bee?______
  4. When the nurse asks, “Are you sure you want me to call a doctor?” what is she really saying to Caroline?______
  5. Al stops Caroline from doing something; what is it?______
  6. What does Caroline expect Al to ask her – but he doesn’t?______

1977: July 1977

  1. When this chapter opens, where are Norah, David and Paul? And what are Norah and David doing?______
  2. Describe how Paul likes to spend his time in general.______
  3. Who’s Howard?______
  4. Norah felt ignored by the men, even irritated; what does Howard do that makes Norah feel otherwise?______
  5. The next morning, where do David and Paul go and where does Norah go?______
  6. What’s the difference between Norah as a model for David and Norah as a model for Howard?______
  7. How long does their affair last?______

1977: August 1977Chapter I

  1. What does David learn about Paul’s ability with the guitar?______
  2. What does David say to Norah that makes her understand that both he and Paul know about her affair?______
  3. David writes a letter to Caroline, what does he say?______
  4. Study pages 203 and 204. What does David do to the photograph of Norah and Howard? What does this show?______

1977: August 1977Chapter II

  1. What very dangerous game are Paul and Duke playing at the beginning of the chapter?______
  2. What do Paul and David do Paul’s house?______
  3. What happens when the drugs are delivered?______
  4. TRUEFALSEDuke stays to help clean up.
  5. What is David’s reaction?______
  6. TRUEFALSEPaul has seen many pictures of his grandparents.
  7. Throughout these chapters, what is it that Paul wants to study that his father doesn’t want?______

1977: September 1977

  1. What is being celebrated at the party? (Three things)______
  2. Doro gives something to Caroline. What is it? Why do you think she did this?______
  3. When Caroline tells Al “the truth” about Phoebe, whom does she leave out of the story? Al doesn’t mention this person either. What does that tell you?______
  4. Phoebe disappears. Where does Caroline find her? What was Phoebe doing?

______