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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. What does Nancy put on her peanut butter sandwich in September?

2. What kind of flower does Collin give Nancy at her school?

3. For what instrument does Nancy take lessons in May?

4. Where does Nancy play with the band?

5. Nancy blames being tired on _________in a July diary entry.

Short Essay Questions

1. What do Nancy and her mom do at the beach?

2. Why does Officer Williams have Nancy relax in a state similar to hypnosis when he comes to the house in September?

3. What happens during the concert?

4. Why does Lew tell Nancy they cannot see each other for three weeks?

5. When Nancy first goes to the doctor in July, what does he tell her to do to stop feeling tired all the time?

6. What does the doctor tell Nancy when she visits the hospital in August?

7. How does the barbecue at Lew's house give Nancy an idea of how she wants her and Lew's future to be?

8. How does Nancy react when she sees Collin walking with Margie Muller?

9. What is Nancy excited to do according to the first April diary entry?

10. Why does Nancy feel guilty at the end of May?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The central conflict of the story is Nancy's diagnosis of HIV/AIDS. The story focuses on her contracting the disease and battling it until she dies. Write a response exploring the role of HIV/AIDS in the story. How is the disease presented? How does the disease's presence in the story shape the events of the book? Use specific references to the text in the response.

Essay Topic 2

There are many symbols throughout the story - from the Idaho ranch to the jewelry she and Lew exchange and her diary. Write a response highlighting at least three symbols present in the book. Discuss what the symbols represent and how they are important to the story. Use specific references to the text in the response.

Essay Topic 3

Lew and Collin are two very important people in Nancy's life and to the story's progression. Write a response comparing and contrasting Lew and Collin. How are they similar? How are they different? How do their separate relationships with Nancy differ? How does Nancy feel about both of them? How is each presented in the story? Use specific references to the text in the response.

(see the answer keys)

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