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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 fairy tale princess does Nancy compare herself to in April?

2. What feelings keep Nancy up at night in May?

3. Nancy compares seeing Lew to ___________________.

4. What do Lew and Uncle Bill hang up outside?

5. What is engraved on the piece of jewelry Nancy gives Lew?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Nancy stop playing in the band?

2. Why does Officer Williams have Nancy relax in a state similar to hypnosis when he comes to the house in September?

3. When Nancy first goes to the doctor in July, what does he tell her to do to stop feeling tired all the time?

4. Why does Nancy want to make Lew proud of her?

5. What does Collin tell Nancy about himself at their first meeting?

6. What is Nancy doing to try and feel better at the beginning of August?

7. What does Nancy admire about her mom's Aunt Thelma?

8. Why do Nancy and Lew exchange the locket and ring?

9. What happened when Lew and Nancy got close to having sex?

10. What does Nancy worry about her blood in the middle of September's diary entries?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The "gaggle," Nancys' group of girlfriends, which later brings Lew into the mix as its lone "gander," is an important part of Nancy's life. Write a response focusing on the importance of the gaggle to the story and to Nancy. What role does the gaggle play in the book? Why are they important both to the story and to Nancy personally? Use specific references to the text in the response.

Essay Topic 2

While some identifying details are removed from the book to protect Nancy and her family, the time that the book takes place is important. As Nancy is diagnosed with HIV/AIDS, the knowledge of the disease and treatment options available are more limited than they would be if the story had taken place currently. Write a response explaining how the time period in which the book takes place influences the events of the story. What would be different had the book taken place in current times? Use specific references to the text in the response.

Essay Topic 3

Nancy must face a lot of guilt connected to her rape and subsequent HIV/AIDS diagnosis. She vents some of these feelings of guilt in her diary entries. Write a response focusing on the theme of guilt in the story as it relates to Nancy's feelings. Why does she feel guilty? How does she overcome the guilt? Use specific references to the text in the response.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 836 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample