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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. Which holiday does the family celebrate right before the ball?

2. What type of car does Olympia rent to take Frieda to the ball?

3. Which character has a new girlfriend before he dumps the last one?

4. What day is Jeff arriving in town?

5. Why is Virginia upset?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Olympia so thankful to see Charlie in Chapter 6?

2. What causes Virginia to think she fails her exams?

3. What happens to Max that makes life more difficult for Olympia right before the ball?

4. Why is Olympia angry at Harry's choice not to go to the ball?

5. Why is Harry unable to be helpful at home?

6. What does Olympia have to run out to buy for Virginia at the beginning of Chapter 8?

7. What is wrong with Olympia two days before the ball?

8. Why is Olympia still worried about Charlie in Chapter 8?

9. Why is Olympia concerned about Jeff, Veronica's escort the day of the ball?

10. Why has Margaret taken a vacation?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The author tries to paint Olympia as a character who has a "perfect" life. Do you think Olympia has a perfect life? Explain your reasoning using details from the book.

Essay Topic 2

Any good book has characters full of dimension. Do you think the author created dynamic characters? Explain using examples from the book.

Essay Topic 3

Harry chooses to skip the ball because he thinks it is a racist event. How is Olympia's bringing Margaret and Frieda to the ball more of a statement against discriminating behavior than Harry's refusal to come? Explain your reasoning.

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