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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. Melody says that she merely wants a ______________ from Jeff before she leaves on a trip.

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

3. Brother Thomas tells Jeff that he will finally have to tell the Professor what he is ______________.

4. The lawyer that is coming to visit the Professor and Jeff is the lawyer of ______________.

5. Melody tells Jeff she knows he picked his father because he is the ____________________.

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

8. What does Jeff do for the Tillermans, though he has gone out of his way to avoid them after Melody's visit?

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

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

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 truth is not always a pretty thing, as Jeff finds out when he finally confronts his mother.

Part 1: Why do you think people lie to the ones they love?

Part 2: Why do you think Melody does not want to tell Jeff the truth about her situation and her feelings toward him?

Part 3: Do you think Jeff should have told Melody the truth about his feelings? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Throughout life, people make decisions based on the reactions of others. Jeff does this often in accordance to his parents and with whom he is living.

Part 1: Why does Jeff favor his mother at the starting point of this story?

Part 2: Why does Jeff change his mind about his mother at one point of the story?

Part 3: Which parent does Jeff seem to love more? Why?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 700 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample