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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 Ben pretend to do while they are outside?

2. What is Annie unable to do in the hospital?

3. Annie pretends to sew up a "wound" on Ben. Where is this wound located?

4. What part of her body does Annie will herself to move?

5. How old is Dr. Connelly in Annie's dream?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why do you believe Ben refuses to see Annie for three weeks during their sessions?

2. In what way is the bird that Ben paints connected with the bird that Annie paints?

3. What has Ben's life been like prior to his time with Annie?

4. What feeling does Annie have both when she leaves Harvard and when she leaves her birthday party at Sarah's apartment?

5. What new information does the reader gain about Annie while she talks to Dr. Connelly on the day he tells her they are planning to release her from the hospital?

6. What does Annie's act of sewing up the wound over Ben's heart symbolize?

7. Why do you think that Ben thought that he could not be hurt?

8. What is your opinion of Annie's relationship with Melanie, her own therapist?

9. How does Ben act during his first session with Annie?

10. Consider Annie's writing style during this second part of her book.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Angels are a recurring symbol in this book. Locate at least five references to angels. Describe the meaning of these references. How do they tie together?

Essay Topic 2

Consider the titles that Annie uses in her book, both the main title and section titles for the three main sections of the novel.

1. Do you believe the section titles (The Other Side of Silence, Silence and Messenger) are appropriate? Explain how each title relates to the information included in that section of the text.

2. Do you believe the main title of the novel, A Shining Affliction, is appropriate? To what affliction does the title refer? Why is this affliction considered to be shining?

Essay Topic 3

Shining is a term that can be used to describe a means of nonverbal communication between two people. With this definition in mind, do you believe that Annie and Ben had this sort of relationship? Why or why not? Defend your answer with examples from the book.

(see the answer keys)

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