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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. Aunt Cora has recently begun classes to become what in the novel?

2. What is the name of Trey Shepherd's sister?

3. How many children does Kristina have?

4. Of Kristina's three eldest children, who is the one who sees both her mother and father regularly in the beginning of the novel?

5. In what city does Autumn live?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the character of Cora Shepherd in the novel. How did Autumn come into Cora's custody?

2. How has Autumn's childhood affected her current romantic relationship in the novel?

3. Why is Nikki upset about her family in the beginning of the novel? How does Hunter relate?

4. Describe Autumn's emotional status in the beginning of the novel. What is the cause of Autumn's feelings of isolation?

5. What upsets Autumn about her aunt's evolving relationship with Liam in the novel?

6. Who has abused Summer's young foster sister Ashante in the novel? How does Summer discover this fact?

7. What leads up to Autumn's first kiss in the novel? What causes her anxiety before this event?

8. Describe the stylistic elements of Fallout. How is the novel divided into sections? What effect does the style have on the reader?

9. What leads up to Summer's confrontation with Erica in the novel? How do Matt and Kyle react to this confrontation?

10. With whom is Summer having a relationship in the beginning of the novel? How does she feel about her boyfriend?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Define, analyze and discuss the themes of abandonment and neglect in the novel. What effects have been seen in Kristina's children of their abandonment by their parents? How has their neglect or abandonment affected them differently. How are the older children's experiences better or worse than those of the elder children?

Essay Topic 2

Describe, analyze and discuss the narrative structure of the novel. How is the novel nontraditional in its separation of chapters and in its narrative voice? Is the plot structure traditional or non-traditional? Where does the rising action in the novel take place? Where is the climax?

Essay Topic 3

Describe and discuss Autumn's relationship with her father after they have first met. How does Trey's presence inspire Autumn to meet her mother? Is this meeting a positive or negative thing for Autumn's development? Why?

(see the answer keys)

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