View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Richard consider to be sloppy and incomprehensible?

2. Who agrees to join Elise and Karina on one of their daily walks?

3. What two emotions kept Richard from telling Grace about his ALS?

4. Despite being given many warning, what occurrence shocks Richard and Karina?

5. Why does Richard ask to try some dessert on Christmas Eve?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. After moving back in with Karina, where does Richard stay? What is notable about this room?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

10. How did moving to Boston impact Richard and Karina? What does Richard think about the move?

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

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 3

Does Karina experience any change over the course of the novel? In what ways does she change and in what ways does she remain the same?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 781 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample