2. How long does Ellen's new roommate let her stay when Ellen runs away from her father's home?
(a) Forever.
(b) The weekend.
(c) A month.
(d) A week.

3. Who is Ellen's friend that attends the funeral?
(a) Jim.
(b) Starletta.
(c) Trixie.
(d) Dora.

4. What season does the funeral take place in?
(a) Spring.
(b) Autumn.
(c) Winter.
(d) Summer.

5. What activity has become an escape for Ellen?
(a) Playing computer games.
(b) Shopping.
(c) Drinking.
(d) Reading.

Short Answer Questions

1. At the grave site, who does Ellen avoid looking at?

2. What present does Ellen receive from Starletta's family?

3. What does Ellen contemplate before leaving the bathroom to give everyone something to talk about?

4. Who does Ellen stop speaking to?

5. How much money does Ellen offer Starletta's family to let her stay with them?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Ellen have to make sure that she retrieves the envelope of money from the mailbox before her father can get to it?

2. What gifts does Ellen buy herself for Christmas?

3. Up to Chapter 7, what are some of the ways Ellen covers up for her father?

4. How does Ellen's selection of gifts show that Ellen has to take responsibility for herself?

5. Why does Ellen have conflicting views about Starletta's family?

6. In Chapter 1, Ellen contemplates killing someone. How does Ellen plan to kill this person and respond to the death if she actually goes through with it?

7. How does the author create a reversal of the mother-daughter role in the novel?

8. How does Ellen's grandmother cause a scene at the funeral?

9. At the funeral, why does Ellen avoid looking at her mother's grave?

10. In what ways has Ellen's mother's family shown that they do not care if Ellen is being neglected?

(see the answer keys)

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