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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. Why does Irene leave Wednesday Bible study early?

2. What did Lisa do for the other people who stayed at the farmhouse?

3. What unexpected question does the woman in the movie theater ask Irene?

4. When Sarah Jane asks Lisa where she got all the videos, what does Lisa say?

5. What best describe Peter's demeanor while courting Irene in Part Two, Chapter 1?

Short Essay Questions

1. In what ways is Irene's new married life in Crescent different from when she lived in Tama? How does the move emotionally affect her?

2. How does Jeremy's lack of knowledge about Stephanie's apartment help him discover something critical about himself?

3. Upon Irene's first visit to Michael Christopher's church, what is his interpretation and the importance of the Bible verse from Luke?

4. Irene places the tract given to her by pastor Michael Christopher in her pocket and then in the "anything drawer" at the house. Why does Irene's placement of the tract give it more meaning?

5. When Irene leaves Bible study early and tells Peter it is because the others did not like the question she is asking, what sort of questions is Irene most likely asking that are controversial?

6. How is Peter Sample's life described at the start of Part Two, Chapter 1? Do not use the exact information provided, but make inferences that can be drawn. Write in your own words.

7. How does Irene view Peter Sample's courtship? What brings her to marry Peter, even though internally she has reservations?

8. Why is Sarah Jane truly concerned about Ezra's car accident?

9. How and why does Sarah Jane justify not providing Jeremy access to the phone at the farmhouse after Ezra's accident?

10. What are some of the first signs that Irene is taking her new church very seriously, and that it may be beginning to take over her life?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The final page of Part Two, Chapter 6 explains how Lisa Sample is dealing with her mother's disappearance. The narrator describes how this situation affected Lisa, even if the signs of sadness and confusion are not seen by others around her. What does the narrator say about the effects on Lisa after her mother is gone? How do these effects carry into Lisa's later life as an adult?

Essay Topic 2

Pages 121-122 describe a situation Irene Sample shares with her husband, Peter. She has left a bible study for asking controversial questions, but the author decides not to clarify what she has been asked by the congregation. What do you think caused Irene to leave the bible study? Knowing how the novel evolves after this incident, what topic do you think Irene disagreed with and why?

Essay Topic 3

The end of Part Three, Chapter 4 moves the story into the future, 16 months after Jeremy and Stephanie visited Lisa's farmhouse. The description of what took place is foggy at best, but major conclusions can be made about the plot. How does the author choose to chronicle the incident that takes place? What exactly happens to Jeremy and Stephanie and how do the previous chapters of the novel contribute to your understanding?

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