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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. Where does Alex find Richard Moody's body?

2. What method did Houten's daughter use to commit suicide?

3. Who does Nona tell Houten she told about their affair?

4. What does Doug tell Alex he'd been planning to destroy?

5. How does Alex describe Matthias' literary preference?

Short Essay Questions

1. When Milo tells Alex that he will pursue the Swopes case after he's done with the rapist's case, why do his words chill Alex?

2. Why does Raoul initially refuse to leave La Vista?

3. Why does Alex set aside the magazine he's reading while he waits for Ezra to speak with Raoul?

4. Who does Nona say took Woody from the hospital and why?

5. Why does the optimism in Garland Swope's ledgers end in Volume X?

6. What prompts Raoul to go to La Vista, which lands him in jail?

7. Why does Doug feel he, Nona, and Woody are a family?

8. Why does Ezra say it's doubtful that Marla and Nona spent much time together when Nona was young?

9. What is Alex's initial impression of the Touch's Retreat?

10. How does Alex manage to sneak up on Baron as he guards the gate to the Retreat?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What does the single, normal tree standing at the end of Mr. Swopes' greenhouse symbolize? Why does the author include this striking example of symbolism? What does it add to the story?

Essay Topic 2

Describe Alex Delaware as the protagonist of the novel. What makes him the protagonist? What is he like? What do his interactions with Richard Moody, Woody, and Raoul reveal about his character?

Essay Topic 3

How does the relationship between Raoul and Alex change as the novel progresses? What causes the change? How does Alex feel about Raoul at the end of the novel? Why?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 679 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample