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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. How much younger does Willowdean think that Bo's little brother Sammy is than Bo?

2. What type of vehicle does Ellen's boyfriend drive in Chapter 1?

3. What has Rosie conditioned Willowdean to do every time she cries?

4. How many kids are in each graduating class at Holy Cross?

5. What does Mitch drive?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Willowdean start to feel about herself in Chapter 21?

2. Why does Willowdean go inside All That Shines in Chapter 11?

3. How did Ellen and Willowdean become friends?

4. What do Willowdean and Mitch wear on their first date?

5. What does Ellen tell Willowdean after Willowdean tells her about what happened to get her suspended?

6. What conversation do Bo and Willowdean have at work after she learns he is going to her school in the fall?

7. Why did Willowdean not want to work at the mall with Ellen?

8. What two things does Willowdean's mother do?

9. What do Willowdean and Bo do after work in Chapter 7?

10. What does Willowdean remember she would do in the summer when she was a kid?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Lucy dies before the novel begins. Who was Lucy and why did she spend her time mostly at home? What dreams did she have? Why did she not fulfill her dreams?

Essay Topic 2

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 storyline? 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 3

Willowdean is very overweight. How does Willowdean seem to accept herself at the beginning of the novel? How does being with Bo change how she perceives herself? How does her body image change throughout the novel? Is she content with who she is when the book ends?

(see the answer keys)

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