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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 the reason for Dicey's anger, which quickly passes once she realizes what is happening?

2. Who does Jeff see riding his bike during the icy rain, so he picks him up in his car?

3. When the Professor goes to Baltimore, who does he stay with on these nights?

4. What does the Professor show to Jeff at the end of October, though he does not show any expression as to how he feels about it?

5. James tells Jeff that Dicey knows how to __________ and did it frequently on their trip after their mother was put in the hospital.

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

6. What had Melody told Jeff she would have done if he was a girl instead of a boy?

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

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

9. Why is the Professor worried when Gambo's lawyer is coming to visit their house?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

The relationships between men and women are not as simple as we might like them to be.

Part 1: Why do you think the relationship between Professor and Melody did not work out?

Part 2: Do you believe the explanation as to why Melody married the Professor? Why or why not?

Part 3: How do you think the relationship between Professor and Melody might affect Jeff's perception of relationships?

(see the answer keys)

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