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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. Who accompanies Rachel to Poppie's Diner in Chapter 21?

2. What does Izzy give to Rachel in Chapter 30?

3. What is Shirley doing when Rachel apologizes to her in Chapter 3?

4. What does Grandpa Izzy do every day?

5. Who ran away to England when he was younger than Rachel is in the story?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Alice Farnum's appearance.

2. What does the doctor say is wrong with Grandpa Izzy after his initial tests?

3. Is Rachel mature or immature?

4. How does Shirley feel about the weekly visit to Izzy's after she first learns he has cancer?

5. How does Rachel feel about her family?

6. What kind of a person is Helena?

7. Why does Rachel think that something is wrong with her in Chapter 13?

8. How does Rachel feel about playing paddleball with Helena's family?

9. Describe the place where Eva is buried.

10. Describe Izzy and Rachel's bus trip.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

As Rachel matures, she starts to see the people in her life as individual humans, rather than as the roles they play like parent or grandparent. What events occur to help Rachel see Shirley, Manny, and Izzy as people she can empathize with rather than merely as mom, dad, and grandfather? Write at least a paragraph to describe what happens to alter Rachel's perception of these characters.

Essay Topic 2

The process of Izzy's death moved Rachel from disbelief to grief and back to hope again.

1) Describe the process of accepting the death of a loved one as illustrated in this story.

2) Explain how grief affected the actions of at least 3 characters in the novel.

3) Analyze the correlation between transformation and loss.

Essay Topic 3

One theme of After the Rain is the competition for affection and attention. Analyze how this plays out between the following sets of characters:

1) Lewis and Izzy.

2) Helena and Rachel.

3) Rachel and Alice Farnum.

(see the answer keys)

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