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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. Where does Hunter run into his biological father?

2. Whom does Autumn invite over while Aunt Cora is gone looking for a wedding church in the novel?

3. What were Hunter's parents taking when he was conceived?

4. What is the name of Hunter's father?

5. Hunter gets a call at the radio station from a grateful listener to whom Hunter gave _____________.

Short Essay Questions

1. What is foreshadowed by Autumn's illness in the novel? Who suggests a potential cause for the illness?

2. What does Trey tell Autumn about her childhood when he arrives at Aunt Cora's house after the wedding? What does this inspire Autumn to do?

3. What leads to the greatest increase in instability for Summer's character in the novel? How does she feel about her situation?

4. What major discoveries does Hunter gain from his two fathers in the novel? How do these discoveries change his character?

5. What risks does Autumn take in her first sexual encounter in the novel? What has led to this behavior?

6. What confrontations does Summer have with her mother and father after her father spends the weekend in jail in the novel?

7. How does Summer feel about her decision to run away from her foster home in the novel? Why?

8. Who advises Hunter to let his obsession with his biological father go in the novel? What does he do instead?

9. Where does Summer learn she will be going to stay with a new foster family after her dad spends a weekend in jail in the novel? What concerns does Summer have about the situation?

10. What is Hunter's reaction upon first seeing the man he believes to be his biological father in the novel? Where does this take place?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Define, analyze and discuss the themes of abandonment and neglect in the novel. What effects have been seen in Kristina's children of their abandonment by their parents? How has their neglect or abandonment affected them differently. How are the older children's experiences better or worse than those of the elder children?

Essay Topic 2

Describe and discuss Hunter's attraction to infidelity in the novel. Why is Hunter compelled to cheat, and how does this behavior mirror that of his mother? What effect does Hunter's infidelity have on his relationship with Nikki? In what ways is it seen as "addictive" behavior?

Essay Topic 3

Describe and discuss the relationship between Nikki and Hunter in the narrative. How has Hunter's past and family impacted his ability to be secure in his relationships? How has Nikki's past affected her relationships? How do each of their families compare?

(see the answer keys)

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