View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Richard compares having ALS to what situation?
(a) Getting into a car accident.
(b) Being stuck in quicksand.
(c) Watching an awful movie.
(d) Forgetting a concerto during a recital.

2. Which musician's music plays in the coffee shop while Karina is visiting her daughter?
(a) Duke Ellington.
(b) Charlie Parker.
(c) Miles Davis.
(d) Thelonious Monk.

3. When Karina visits Richard in the third chapter, how does the visit end?
(a) Karina insults Richard and Richard begins to cry.
(b) Karina mocks Richard's illness and Richard stares in shock.
(c) Karina smashes a bottle of wine and Richard orders her to leave.
(d) Karina smashes a framed photo and Richard pushes her.

4. What was the name of Richard's childhood piano teacher?
(a) Mrs. Potter.
(b) Mrs. Palmer.
(c) Mrs. Parker.
(d) Mrs. Postma.

5. In the Prologue to the novel, Richard is playing a piece by which composer?
(a) Mozart.
(b) Bach.
(c) Ravel.
(d) Schumann.

Short Answer Questions

1. Without the use of his arms, Richard walks around his home like what?

2. Why does Richard feel humiliated when Karina visits him in the third chapter?

3. While sitting on the bench, Richard reflects that Curtis provided both him and Karina with what?

4. How often does Richard see his nurse-practitioner?

5. Richard's nurse-practitioner advises him to do what to his liquids?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who is Kathy DeVillo and how does she help Richard?

2. What happens when Richard goes out in Chapter Twelve?

3. What information does Karina learn at the graduation party?

4. What is the "invisible presence" Richard feels every morning and why does he tell himself to be grateful for it?

5. When helping Richard in the bathroom, what moves Karina to tears? What does she decide?

6. How does Richard adapt to the piano after the loss of his right hand? What does he find comfort in?

7. After Richard loses the loss of his arms, how does he feed himself? What does Bill add to Richard's food in Chapter Eleven? Why?

8. Who is Maxine? How did Richard's diagnosis impact his relationship with her?

9. What are Karina's thoughts regarding birth and destiny? How are these beliefs illustrated by her own life?

10. Why does Richard accidentally call Karina?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 783 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample