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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. Jeff, on the island, sees a world in which he is the only ______________ inhabitant.

2. What does Jeff catch that the Professor does not notice to be a bad thing until something is seriously wrong?

3. When Melody comes to pick Jeff up, he is overwhelmed by her _____________, warmth and cheerfulness.

4. Professor notes that Tolstoy once said that every unhappy family is ____________ in its own way.

5. What does Jeff stop doing because he realizes the Professor likes order and routine?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Jeff do with the money he saves up from his weekly allowance he receives from his father?

2. Why does Jeff send Melody a beautiful scarf for Christmas the year after he visits her?

3. Who is waiting for Jeff at the train station when he arrives back home?

4. What did Jeff bring back from Charleston for Brother Thomas to enjoy?

5. What doesn't Jeff mind about waiting at the airport for his mother?

6. What does Jeff say when Brother Thomas asks Jeff if he will go back to visit Melody the next summer?

7. What does Jeff do in order to feel healed and to feel at home once more?

8. What does the heron seem to be saying to Jeff as Jeff notices it flying across the island?

9. Why does Jeff make himself stop crying when he is reading the letter from his mother, Melody?

10. Why are the two women at the house surprised to be introduced to Jeff by Melody?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

During the case of separate and divorce, children are often made to chose one parent over another, as Jeff was.

Part 1: Why do you think it's important for a child to choose a side during a divorce?

Part 2: Why do you think it's unfair to have a child make a decision about who he should live with?

Part 3: In what ways might Jeff's life have been affected if he had made the opposite decisions about the parent to live with?

Essay Topic 2

No matter what happens with his mom, Jeff seems to still want a relationship with her. Even with unanswered letters, he continues to hold onto the picture of her he has in his head.

Part 1: Why do you think Jeff is so committed to being loyal to his mother?

Part 2: If you were Jeff, would you be so loyal? Why or why not?

Part 3: Do you think that Jeff should have given his mother another chance? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

The title of the story is "A Solitary Blue," and while the imagery comes to life later in the story, there are more layers to this title's meaning.

Part 1: Why do you think this title was chosen for this story?

Part 2: In what ways do all of the characters experience solitude?

Part 3: Why is solitude an important motif in this story? What does it say about relationships?

(see the answer keys)

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