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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 is one thing Suzanne says about Nicky when he goes for his check-up?

2. What does Katie do this time after closing the diary?

3. What does Lynn say about Katie?

4. What does Katie say is possible?

5. What does Nicky love to do?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Katie share with her parents and what is their reation?

2. What questions does Katie ask as she is reading the diary?

3. What had Matt's friends and coworkers done while Matt and Suzanne were gone from the house for three days?

4. What is Katie learning from Suzanne's diary?

5. What does Katie do one night for her friends the Browns?

6. How does Suzanne fare as the days go on and what does she do once day with Nicky?

7. What does Suzanne say about her and Matt's wedding?

8. Describe the locket Matt gives Suzanne.

9. Where do Matt and Susan have their honeymoon and what does Matt bring Suzanne every day during the honeymoon?

10. What happens when Katie finishes the diary and what is said in the letter attached at the end of the diary?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Patterson recognizes that we have to have something bad come into Suzanne's life. Everything can't be happily ever after all the time. Gus, the dog, is hit by a truck and dies. While it is bad, Patterson has another tearjerker moment with Suzanne and her dog's death. Matt holds her while she cries. Patterson shows a moment of weakness. Before the entry is over, Suzanne moves back into a strength position as she tells Nicky to move on. You lift your head and move on in life.

1. Do you think in order for a story to be interesting good and bad has to be mixed? Why or why not? Use examples from "Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas" and your own life to support your answer.

2. Do you think most people would consider crying about the death of a pet would be considered a weakness? Why or why not? Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

3. Discuss why Suzanne telling Nicky one has to move one might be considered a characteristic of a strong person. Use examples from "Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas" and your own life to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the following:

1. What do you think are the characteristics of a successful novel?

2. Analyze and discuss "Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas" based upon the criteria you decide upon in #1 and judge if it is a successful novel.

3. Do you think the criteria for a successful novel should be different if it is written for adults versus young adults? Why or why not? Would most adults consider "Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas" a successful novel? What about young teens?

Essay Topic 3

Sometimes a book has more of a character-driven plot rather than action driven, and sometimes it is the other way. Some books seem to balance the two. Discuss the following:

1. What do you think it means to say that a plot is character driven? Action driven?

2. How do you think a plot differs if it is character driven versus action driven?

3. Which type of plot do you find more interesting? Why?

4. Do you think it is possible to have a plot where action and character development share equal time? Why or why not.

5. What type of plot do you think "Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas" is? Explain your response.

(see the answer keys)

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