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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 does Mike do when he heads to the beach and is overcome with emotion?

2. Where does Mike decide to have lunch in town?

3. In what town does Mike live?

4. When is Mike supposed to release his new novel to get ahead of the bestseller competition?

5. What is Mike doing when his phone rings at the cabin?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who is John Storrow and what is his role in Mike's life?

2. What is Max Devore's purpose for calling Mike at home on the Fourth of July?

3. What disturbing sound does Mike hear in his house during the night?

4. Why does Bill Dean advise Mike to stay away from Mattie?

5. Who is Bill Dean and what role does he serve in Mike's life?

6. Does Mike's nightmare of arriving at Sara Laughs come true when Mike finally does arrive at the cottage?

7. How had Mattie tried to cooperate with Max regarding Kyra?

8. Who is the protagonist of the story and what tragedy befalls his wife very early in the story?

9. What makes Mike realize that he must return to Sara Laughs?

10. What does Mike find unusual about Mattie's statement about not calling again when he is working?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The author uses more than one iteration on the theme of fear. Identify at least two instances about fear in the book. Then, cite examples to support your answers.

Essay Topic 2

The author used more than one iteration on the theme of loss. Identify at least two examples about loss in the book and explain why the examples support the theme.

Essay Topic 3

Grief takes on an almost human persona in this book. What are some examples of grief? What is this literary technique called? Cite examples that support this position.

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