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

2. That summer, Jeff decides to set up a _____________ business with the Tillermans.

3. ____________ tells Jeff he worries he might be losing touch with Jeff again.

4. Where does Melody say she is going in order to help teach villagers?

5. Jeff realizes that the only thing the Professor wants for him is for Jeff to be ______________.

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Why does Jeff suddenly feel that his life is rich at the start of this chapter?

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

4. What kind of business does Jeff set up over the summer with the help of the Tillermans?

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

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

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

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

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

10. Who is waiting for Jeff when he returns from his visit with Melody?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

When Melody decides she wants custody of Jeff, he responds in a different way than he might have expected a few years earlier.

Part 1: Why do you think Jeff reacts in the way he does when Melody decides she wants custody?

Part 2: Why do you think the Professor acts in the way he does when Melody decides she wants custody?

Part 3: Why do you think Melody decides she wants custody of Jeff after all of these years?

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

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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