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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 is the answer to the visitor's demand in Chapter 22?

2. In Chapter 20, what does Paul reveal to Spenser about his dreams?

3. Who is already there when Spenser arrives at his destination in Chapter 13?

4. On their first full day at the cabin in Chapter 16, Spenser and Paul go to North Conway for which of the following?

5. What does Spenser say about too much positivity in Chapter 20?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Spenser agree to keep Paul after the kidnapping scare when Patty is taken hostage?

2. Is the violence used in Chapter 24 necessary? Why?

3. What is the lesson that Spenser is trying to teach Paul via the two of them building the cabin together with their own hands instead of hiring someone else to do it or using machinery?

4. How does Spenser handle the confrontation with Patty in Chapter 22?

5. Aside from making sure that Paul has a presentable suit to wear to the ballet, what is the point of taking Paul to Louis' to get a suit?

6. How does Susan feel about Spenser sending Paul and Patty to her house in Chapter 13?

7. Why does Spenser believes that teaching Paul to run is important?

8. As evidenced in his conversation with Spenser in Chapter 20, why is Paul curious in relation to why his parents think the way that they do?

9. How is the reader likely to feel when Patty shows up to take Paul home in Chapter 22?

10. Why does Spenser feel that teaching Paul to box and weight lift is important?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Another major theme of this story is that of personal responsibility. Explore the idea of personal responsibility as it relates to each major character (Spenser, Susan, Patty, Mel, and Paul). How does each character feel about personal responsibility? How do they demonstrate those beliefs? Use instances from the text to support your answers.

Essay Topic 2

Choose one of the major characters in this book (Spenser, Susan, Patty, Mel, or Paul). Choose one specific situation out of the book and explain what and how you would have changed it. For instance, if you choose Patty in Chapter 1 where she hires Spenser, what would you change about that situation? Would you hire a private investigator as she did, or would you perhaps go to the police, to try to solve the problem yourself? Use instances from the text to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Patty Giacomin and Susan Silverman are two women who play important roles in "Early Autumn".

Part 1) Compare and contrast the characters of Patty and Susan. How are they the same? How are they different?

Part 2) What would have happened if those two characters, Patty and Susan, never existed in the story? Use instances from the text to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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