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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. After taking a walk following the Christmas holiday, Karina comes home to find what alarm going off?

2. Following Karina's trip to New Orleans, Richard realizes she is caring for him not out of duty but out of what?

3. When is the best time for Richard to record his voice?

4. After Richard gets a feeding tube, what is his "food" called?

5. Now that she is divorced and Grace is grown, what does Karina realize about her life while watching the jazz pianist?

Short Essay Questions

1. What revelation does Karina experience in New Orleans?

2. What is ironic about Karina's asking Richard if he wants anything in Chapter Twenty-eight?

3. What offer does Elise make as Karina, Elise, and Grace take a morning walk? How does Grace help this plan?

4. While Karina is in New Orleans, what does Richard try to do? Why?

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

6. Who is Dr. George and what service does he offer Richard?

7. How has caring for Richard taken a toll on Karina after the addition of the BiPAP? Why?

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

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

10. What advice does Bill give Karina?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What might have happened to Richard and Karina had Richard never been diagnosed with ALS? Argue for an alternative reality based on what the reader knows of their histories, actions, and beliefs.

Essay Topic 2

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

Essay Topic 3

Richard finds himself involved in several conflicts over the course of the novel. Choose one instance of internal conflict and one instance of external conflict, and explain how these conflicts have an impact on the story and the characters involved.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 680 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample