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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. What starts blowing up in the town where Jen lives, something that is considered to be a strange event?

2. Jen accuses Kathleen of not being ____________, and Kathleen asks if they can talk it over in the morning.

3. What is NOT one of the names of the children who are described and followed in this book?

4. Who does Jen imagine is surrounding her when she is in her drugged and drunk state after leaving her meeting?

5. What is the name of the dead animal a short version of, according to the person who gave the animal this name?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens with the cat when Jen is lying in bed after her drugged and drunk rage?

2. Where are the children living at the beginning of the story?

3. What does Jen think about her next door neighbors, as she is walking to work one day?

4. What is the difference between regular funerals and the kinds of funerals which are given to those who have committed suicide?

5. Why doesn't Megan believe that Jen cleans houses for a living, as she explains when they are talking?

6. Why does Jen love to have Megan over to stay with her at her little home?

7. Why does Wallace decide to make up a will before he goes into surgery?

8. What does Jen do when the phone finally rings after Kathleen finally calls Jen back after her many calls?

9. How did Eric and Jen meet, according to the story that Jen tells in the book?

10. What happens when one of the Burn Outs offers to give Jen a ride to her work one day?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The town of Clement seems to be a town which has attracted a number of weirdos in its confines.

Part 1: Why do you think the town has attracted so many 'weirdos'?

Part 2: Do you agree with Jen's description that there are weird people in the town?

Part 3: What do you think this town's population has to say about the state of Jen and her weirdness?

Essay Topic 2

Megan and Jen talk about how senseless it is that young people get cancer and how good people get sick.

Part 1: Do you think that it's senseless that young people get cancer?

Part 2: Why do you think cancer and illness upset people so much that they take it personally?

Part 3: How do you think you would feel if a friend got cancer?

Essay Topic 3

Jen seems to be just getting by in life, working only enough to support herself and her writing time.

Part 1: How do you feel about the character of Jen in this story?

Part 2: Why do you think Jen doesn't want to do more with her life?

Part 3: Do you think it's a good idea to simply work to create time for pleasure?

(see the answer keys)

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