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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. Why has Richard given up banking his voice?

2. What does Richard believe is his true legacy?

3. What does Tommy tell Richard?

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

5. While Karina is in New Orleans, what does Richard attempt to do?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. After the incident on Christmas Eve, what two tests are performed on Richard? What are the results?

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

4. What advice does Bill give Karina?

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

6. What happens when Karina first sees Richard writing a letter to his father? How does Richard respond?

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

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

9. What revelation does Karina experience in New Orleans?

10. While Karina is in New Orleans, what trouble befalls Richard?

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

Helen Keller once wrote, “Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.” Explain how the characters of Richard and Karina illustrate Keller’s words.

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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