View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who is NOT one of the groups of needy that Melody says she wants to help when she is away from the Professor and Jeff?

2. When Jeff cries in his bed after Melody leaves again, he can't believe how easy he was to _____________.

3. While discussing the possibility of a trip to _____________, Jeff learns about the financial troubles Melody left.

4. Melody tells Jeff that she wouldn't leave him if she thought she had to ____________ about him.

5. When the Professor takes Jeff to ________________, Jeff fears he will walk off down the beach and not return.

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What does Brother Thomas announce when he comes over for Christmas dinner?

3. What does Brother Thomas do when Jeff reveals he has not eaten dinner or breakfast?

4. What does Melody's new boyfriend, Max, refuse to let Jeff do when he is staying with them?

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

6. What are Jeff's first reactions to his mother when he sees her arrive at the airport in Charleston?

7. What does Jeff realize as night falls when he is on the island's land?

8. What does Melody say when Jeff tells her that he gets only Bs and Cs in school?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Anger is an emotion which is often suppressed in the modern world. We are told anger is negative and that it only hurts people.

Part 1: What do you think about expressing anger? Is it a good thing or a bad thing? Why?

Part 2: Why do you think Jeff is so hesitant to be angry with his mother?

Part 3: Why do you think Jeff feels so guilty after expressing his anger with this mother?

Essay Topic 2

The complexity of the relationships in this story mirror so many other families in the world.

Part 1: Why do you think the adults in this story seem to have so many troubles with their relationships?

Part 2: Why do you think Jeff is put into the middle of the problems with his parents?

Part 3: Why do you think relationships are so difficult?

Essay Topic 3

The Professor is a complicated character as well, with hidden emotions and an inability to talk about what he feels at times.

Part 1: Why do you think the Professor was given a name instead of being called 'Dad'?

Part 2: Why do you think it's difficult for the Professor to talk about his feelings?

Part 3: How do you think the Professor feels about Melody leaving him?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 696 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample