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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. Does Elaine know about the interview?

2. What store does Elaine go to?

3. Why doesn't Elaine want to look at her paintings?

4. Where do the girls stare at Elaine from as she walks home from school?

5. The narrator thinks of time as having a what?

Short Essay Questions

1. In the present time what does Elaine think of Toronto?

2. Describe how Elaine and Cordelia are different in biology class.

3. While Elaine is dating both Josef and Jon, how does she feel about the two men?

4. How does Elaine react to Jon's ex-girlfriend's anger?

5. What habit does Elaine develop because of Cordelia's bullying?

6. How do Elaine's parents feel about Stephen's death?

7. What does Carol look like?

8. Describe Elaine's experience when the girls leave her in the hole.

9. How does Elaine feel about boys in eleventh grade?

10. How and why do Elaine's feelings for Mrs. Smeath change?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the use of point of view in the book.

1) Why is this book told in the first person, from Elaine's point of view? How would it be different if it were told by a different narrator?

2) Does Elaine provide an accurate account of the world around her? How is her view of the world biased or flawed?

3) What would the reader gain from understanding Cordelia's perspective, or the perspective of another character?

Essay Topic 2

Secrecy is an important part of Elaine's life. From a young age, she begins to hide her true thoughts from others, and she keeps her feelings inside throughout the novel. Discuss the role of secrecy in the novel.

1) Why does the company of other girls make Elaine begin to hide her thoughts?

2) Why does Elaine envy women who can express rage, like Jon's ex-girlfriend?

3) How does Elaine suppress her feelings and emotions during the book? What other things does she keep secret?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss Elaine's feelings toward Cordelia.

1) Why does Elaine always think she sees Cordelia, wherever she goes?

2) How is the reality of meeting Cordelia different from Elaine's fantasies about meeting Cordelia, and why?

3) Does Elaine have a realistic idea of what Cordelia is like? In what ways is Elaine's perception of Cordelia flawed, and in what ways is it accurate?

4) What are Elaine's positive and negative feelings toward Cordelia? Are the two women friends? Have they ever been friends?

(see the answer keys)

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