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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. Jeff has emotionally gone inside of himself, to a small ______ where he locked the memories of his day and night spent on the beach.

3. The Professor reveals that Melody's ______________ hurt him repeatedly.

4. Melody says that she couldn't be happy knowing about the situation in ___________ and doing nothing.

5. All winter, Phil and Andy talk and worry about ________________, but Jeff avoids the subject.

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. When Jeff is asked to write an essay about a real character for his English class, who does he write about?

5. Who are the two students that Jeff finds interesting at Chrisfeld school?

6. Why does Jeff decide to stay instead of running away from Melody as she sits on the lawn?

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

8. What does Jeff realize about the Professor's expectations of him at school?

9. What does Melody believe about the reason why Jeff decided to stay with his father instead of with her?

10. What does Jeff begin to do in order to see Dicey more often, meeting her brother at the same time?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The introduction of Dicey seems to bring joy into Jeff's life, giving him a place to be comfortable and loved at the Tillerman home.

Part 1: Why do you think Dicey and Jeff get along so well?

Part 2: What do you think the relationship between Dicey and Jeff will turn out to be after the story ends? Why?

Part 3: Why does the Tillerman family take so well to Jeff?

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

It is revealed that Jeff is actually a very smart man, though his mother and others were quick to point out his faults.

Part 1: Why do you think Melody wanted Jeff to feel as though he was not smart?

Part 2: Why do you think the Professor didn't push Jeff harder in school?

Part 3: Do you think Jeff was a smart student all along? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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