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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 does Karina believe about how her decision to pursue jazz affected her relationship with Richard?

2. What does Bill think Karina needs regarding her relationship with Richard?

3. How does Richard participate in the toast with his family?

4. Why is Richard unable to move his wheelchair?

5. How many letters does Richard write his father?

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain Richard's love for his daughter versus his love for the piano.

2. What changes does Richard see in Karina following her trip to New Orleans?

3. What surprising information do Richard's brothers tell him at the funeral? What is the effect on Richard?

4. What situation causes Grace and Richard to grow closer together while Karina is in New Orleans?

5. What does Richard think about Karina's talent and career?

6. How does Richard's wheelchair impair his mobility, instead of facilitate it?

7. How does Grace learn of Richard's diagnosis?

8. What does Karina imagine during the piano lesson with Dylan?

9. Who is Tommy and what information does Richard learn from him?

10. Following her trip to New Orleans, what surprise does Karina have for Richard? How does he respond?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay explaining the significance of the title of the novel. How does the title reflect the lives of Richard and Karina? How does the title reflect the novel’s themes?

Essay Topic 2

Analyze how the novel’s settings influence both the character of Richard and the novel’s plot.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the role of music as it pertains to the lives or Richard and Karina.

(see the answer keys)

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