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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. Why is Ellie called to the headmistress' office in Chapter 21?

2. How does Marcus react when he sees Ellie at Suzie's New Year's Eve party?

3. What does Will wonder at the end of Chapter 28?

4. Why does Marcus try to keep Ellie from seeing the newspapers in Chapter 31?

5. What does Fiona file a complaint about at Marcus' school in Chapter 19?

Short Essay Questions

1. How do Ellie and Zoe react in Chapter 21 when Marcus tells them that he knows Ellie was lying to him before?

2. What lie does Will tell Rachel?

3. What makes Will unhappy enough to skip Christmas in Chapter 18?

4. Why does Marcus try to keep Ellie from reading the papers in Chapter 31?

5. How does Marcus defend his visits to Will's house in Chapter 17?

6. Who is Rachel?

7. What does the reader learn about Ellie's mother in Chapter 25?

8. Why does Will feel hesitant about helping Fiona in Chapter 30?

9. What deal do Marcus and Will make in Chapter 26?

10. What do Will and Fiona discuss over a drink in Chapter 18?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss depression and suicide as depicted in the novel "About a Boy". Why does Fiona attempt suicide? How does her depression and attempted suicide impact Marcus? How is Kurt Cobain's suicide and depression depicted in the novel?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the struggles faced by Marcus throughout the novel. How does he deal with these obstacles and how does he overcome them? What causes these problems for him?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the use of humor in the novel "About a Boy". What are some examples of humor used in the novel? What types of humor does Hornby use? Why might he use humor?

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