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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. Jeff decides to talk to Melody as he believes that she is his ______________.

2. Jeff suddenly begins to feel his life is crowded with people he likes and things he wants to do and feels life is ___________.

3. When does Jeff sit outside the school and play guitar in order to work on some songs?

4. At whose farmhouse does Jeff begin to spend more and more time?

5. The Professor talks about how his book has been successful, and that they can move to a _____________ in Baltimore if they want.

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

10. What does Jeff begin to realize the principal at his school and Melody did when he receives all As?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

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

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?

(see the answer keys)

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