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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 Jeff surprised to find on his report card, though his father is not?

2. Brother Thomas sends Jeff ____________ about his father from national magazines and papers.

3. Dicey asks Jeff to go _____________ and he almost says no, but accepts and is glad that he did.

4. Jeff tells the Professor that Melody had said she would have taken him with her had Jeff been _____________.

5. Jeff realizes that Melody and his principal at the University School tried to make him believe he wasn't ______________.

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Sammy think that if his sister turned out to be like their mom it wouldn't be a bad thing?

2. What does Wilhemina tell Jeff about the Tillerman family and how they arrived at their current home?

3. Why do Brother Thomas and the Professor show up at the amusement park to see Jeff?

4. What is the achievement Jeff learns he and Dicey both share?

5. Why does Jeff begin to ride the roller coasters after returning home to his father's house?

6. What does the girl that stops to listen to Jeff do when she comes back to visit a second time?

7. What does Melody say that she is doing with Max which is why she wants to say goodbye to Jeff?

8. What does Jeff realize about Dicey when Dicey's mother dies?

9. What was Phil's impression of Jeff's mother when she stopped in town to visit Jeff?

10. What does Jeff do during the last free period of the day during his sophomore year of high school?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the end, Jeff realizes his mother never did understand the idea of value, though he realizes he can - and does.

Part 1: Why do you think Jeff's mother was so focused on money?

Part 2: Why do you think Melody is as damaged as she is in this story?

Part 3: Do you think there is any hope for Melody to become a supportive parent for Jeff? Why or why not?

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

Professor points out at one point that all families that are happy are happy in the same way, but those that are unhappy are unhappy in unique ways.

Part 1: Do you think families can ever be completely happy? Why or why not?

Part 2: Why do you think unhappy families have unique experiences of being unhappy?

Part 3: Do you think the idea that families can be unhappy makes the unhappy family situation easier or harder? Why?

(see the answer keys)

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