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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. What do the Coopers do while they are at Grandpa Izzy's in Chapter 15?

2. Where is the most recent postcard that Rachel has received from Jeremy sent from, as of Chapter 3?

3. Who stares at Rachel during seventh period in Chapter 4?

4. What does Izzy tell Rachel that Eva was afraid of?

5. In Chapter 16, who calls the Cooper's house while Rachel is home alone?

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain why Rachel feels trapped into walking with Grandpa Izzy in Chapter 20.

2. Describe the place where Eva is buried.

3. Is Rachel mature or immature?

4. Describe Izzy and Rachel's bus trip.

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

6. Why did Uncle Lenny and Izzy have a falling out?

7. Describe Rachel and Lewis's first interactions.

8. How does Rachel's handling of Izzy's fall affect her parent's perception of her?

9. How does Rachel recognize Izzy's bad mood in Chapter 22?

10. What does Izzy tell Rachel about his handprint in Chapter 29?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Select one of these options to write about:

1) Explain why you think visual imagery, symbolism, or irony is the most important literary technique in the novel.

2) Analyze animal metaphors in the story.

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

The change in Rachel and Izzy's relationship as the older man gets sicker and closer to death is the basis for much of Rachel's personal growth in the story and perhaps his too.

1) Select three pivotal moments in the story that changed Rachel and Izzy's relationship, and explain your choices.

2) Why is Rachel the only person in the family that Izzy seems willing to get close to?

3) Could a positive event have served as the catalyst to change Rachel and Izzy's relationship? Support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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