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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 Tea Bags called in pyschological terms?

2. What is Annie's therapist's name?

3. What does Annie hope Ben is doing Christmas night?

4. What does Rachael ask Annie to do during their sessions?

5. What type of therapy does Dr. Connelly want to use on Annie?

Short Essay Questions

1. 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?

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

3. What does Dr. Connelly suggest to Annie's sister that they do for her?

4. How does Annie interpret her first session with Ben after the Christmas break?

5. Explain the significance of Annie and Ben's struggle after he tears the wing on his angel costume.

6. Describe Ben's reaction when he accidently hits Annie with a stick while playing outside.

7. Why is it significant that Annie does not let Ben keep the spring he finds on the playroom floor?

8. Why do you believe that it is significant that Annie is no longer remembering large chunks of her day?

9. What bothers Annie about Ben's behavior during their sessions?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Light is a recurring image in Annie's book. In many of her descriptive passages, Annie pays great attention to the light that is present or absent from a scene. At one point in her healing, Annie is even obsessed with painting the light. Supporting your answer with examples from the book, explain the importance of light in Annie's novel. What does this light represent?

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast Ben and Annie. Include in this discussion:

1. Each characters' relationship with their mother.

2. Their inability to remember what has happened to them in their relationships with their mothers.

3. The instances that have brought on their healing. Discuss the way that Annie and Ben have used their backgrounds in order to help each other.

(see the answer keys)

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