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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. In Chapter VII, "Time Drags When You're Miserable," what does Scott ask Melissa?

2. In Chapter VIII, "Some Jerk," what does Jeff say that he would do to a talking spider?

3. In Chapter X, "Transformations," what is Melissa looking for as she says Charlotte's last words?

4. In Chapter VIII, "Some Jerk," who is wearing a t-shirt that says "I'm Having a Whale of a Time" (103)?

5. In Chapter XII, "Melissa Goes to the Zoo," who do readers learn hung the swing in the yard?

Short Essay Questions

1. In the beginning of Chapter IX, "Dinner at Arnie's," what is Melissa's mother trying to say when she comes in and talks to Melissa in her bedroom?

2. In Chapter VII, "Some Jerk," Melissa and Kelly have an exchange about transgender rights. Explain what each girl says about this topic.

3. When Kelly begins trying to pose Melissa for pictures again, in In Chapter VII, "Some Jerk," what does Melissa say?

4. In Chapter IX, "Dinner at Arnie's," what does Scott assume about Melissa's identity, and why?

5. In Chapter XII, "Melissa Goes to the Zoo," what is the meaning of the scene where Melissa looks in the mirror?

6. In Chapter XI, "Invitations," Kelly invites Melissa to go to the zoo. What causes Melissa to hesitate at first, and what then causes her to enthusiastically accept the invitation?

7. What common saying is Gino alluding to in the title of Chapter VII, "Time Drags When You're Miserable"? What point does this allusion make?

8. In Chapter IX, "Dinner at Arnie's," how does Kelly's phone call highlight how unsupportive Melissa's mother has been?

9. In Chapter XI, "Invitations," Melissa's mother tells her that she does not want Melissa to make her own life harder--what does Melissa say to this, and how does her mother respond?

10. In the beginning of Chapter IX, "Dinner at Arnie's," how does Scott react to Melissa's explanation of her gender identity?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Chapter X is called "Transformations." The novel George is concerned with many kinds of transformations--and not always in obvious ways. Who would you say is most transformed in this novel, and how does that transformation occur? Be sure to support your claims with textual evidence.

Essay Topic 2

Melissa has expressed a very strong reaction to the idea of playing Wilbur. What is it about the Wilbur character, in particular, that makes the idea of playing Wilbur painful to her? How is this related to her feelings about boys and things she associates with boys?

Essay Topic 3

Describe the content of the magazines that Melissa loves. Explain the kind of person that these magazines are aimed at and what you think draws Melissa to them.

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