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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. Eric likes Merit to wear her hair how?

2. Faith has just moved to what state?

3. During the opening scene, the ladies begin to do what?

4. One of the friends is doing what as the novel opens?

5. The women are in whose house when they decide to start a book club?

Short Essay Questions

1. When a woman they don't like comes over, Faith, Audrey and Slip flash the woman. How do you feel about the flashing incident?

2. Faith narrates the prologue. What is the significance of Faith's name, as it seems to relate to the book?

3. Define Faith's attitude, as the book opens.

4. Do you think that Merit is strong or weak?

5. How do you think that Merit should handle Eric's abuse?

6. In this section, Kari adopts her niece's baby girl. What are your views of adoption, in general?

7. Describe Kari's home life.

8. Friendship is set up as the main theme of the novel, in the prologue. What do you think are two qualities that make a good friend and why?

9. What secrets is Faith hiding from the others?

10. Kari's baby, Julia, is biracial. How does that affect Kari and those around her?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Keeping secrets is a major theme of the book.

Part 1. Choose at least four secrets in the book and describe the pros and cons of keeping them, as well as what happened to the characters when those secrets were revealed.

Part 2. Based on your response to part 1, as well as your real life experiences, do you feel that keeping a secret is ever a good thing? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

When Beau begins to exhibit feminine qualities, Faith thinks that she can shape him into a more masculine child. Also, when Grant tells his father that he's gay, Grants father reacts badly and, essentially, disowns him. Using examples from both the book and your real life experiences, discuss how you feel about the reactions of both Faith and Grant's father. For example, do you think it's possible for parents to shape their children to be something they wouldn't naturally be and, if so, do you think it's ethical? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

At a few points in the book, Audrey seems to have psychic visions.

Part 1. List at least three examples of Audrey's supposed psychic powers.

Part 2. Do you believe in psychic abilities? Why or why not?

Part 3. What would you do if you had psychic powers like Audrey's?

(see the answer keys)

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