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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. When does the real estate agent plan to try the other apartment that is for sale?

2. Where does the bank robber do with her ski mask?

3. What does Estelle say that she exchanged with a neighbor in Chapter 58?

4. In Chapter 42, what does Jack find in a ventilation duct above the walk-in closet?

5. How often does Jack tell his dad that he should take off his wedding ring?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens when the bank robber is sitting alone in the hall in Chapter 47?

2. What does Nadia tell Zara about getting close to people?

3. What does Anna-Lena say about being a boss?

4. Why does Anna-Lena say that Roger waited 20 minutes to move his car after a man asked if he could have Roger's parking space?

5. Where does the bank robber live after the hostage situation?

6. What does the narrator say is the truth at the end of the book?

7. What does Jack find in the walk-in closet at the apartment?

8. What does Jack do when he learns that his father let the bank robber escape?

9. How does the bank robber get the key to the other apartment?

10. What does Ro request when Estelle offers to make some food?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the novel, some characters are more thoroughly described than others. Who are some characters that are merely named in passing or have a minor role in the novel? What is the importance of these flat characters to the story line? In what way do these characters make the main characters more colorful or interesting? When there is conflict, what type of role do these flat characters play?

Essay Topic 2

Estelle arranges a showing of her apartment at New Year’s. Why does Estelle arrange a showing of her apartment at New Year’s? Why is she struggling with loneliness?

Essay Topic 3

Humor is a literary device that makes readers laugh. How does Backman use humor in the book? How does it help break up the tension in various scenes?

(see the answer keys)

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