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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 do Summer and her boyfriend hope to live until they find jobs after running away from Summer's foster home?

2. Summer worries that her new foster father is __________.

3. For what offense does Summer's father spend the weekend in jail in the novel?

4. Whom does Summer argue with on the telephone on Thanksgiving?

5. Where does Hunter run into his biological father?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens after Nikki discovers Hunter's infidelity in the novel? Where does Hunter move?

2. Describe the day of Cora's wedding in the novel. Who arrives and what confrontations take place?

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

4. Whom does Hunter move in with after leaving his parents' house in the novel? Why? What party does Hunter attend at this time?

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

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

7. 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?

8. 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?

9. What discussions does Hunter have with his adoptive parents after leaving Nikki in the novel? What does Hunter learn?

10. What stops Hunter from taking the pills at the "pharm party" in the novel? When does he take them?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe and discuss examples of symbolism and imagery in the narrative. What does the stranger at the talent show represent to Hunter? What is symbolized by Hunter's infidelity with Leah in the narrative? What does Kristina represent symbolically to each of her children?

Essay Topic 2

Describe and discuss Autumn's relationship with her aunt and grandfather in the novel. How has Autumn's childhood illustrated greater stability than those of her siblings? What does Autumn know about her father and how does she feel about his abandonment?

Essay Topic 3

Describe and discuss the insecurity and isolation which plague Autumn in the novel. Why does Autumn feel incapable of being loved? How did her parents' actions contribute to Autumn's insecurity and inferiority complexes? How does she attempt to overcome them?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 930 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample