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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. Who is Nancy's doctor in Phoenix?

2. Who is waiting for Nancy at home at the beginning of February?

3. What type of candles does Nancy say she has been burning?

4. What medicine does Nancy take for the HIV/AIDS virus?

5. Who is Ms. Marsden?

Short Essay Questions

1. How do boys at school tease Nancy in April?

2. Why is Nancy happy about the results of the state math report?

3. What is the problem Nancy runs into with her medicine in March?

4. Why does Nancy pretend the gaggle is not real while she is in Phoenix?

5. What does Mrs. Maggleby, the school nurse, do at the beginning of April?

6. Who is Adam?

7. Why are holidays sadder than regular days for Nancy?

8. How does Nancy feel about her school in Phoenix?

9. Why has Nancy not written in her diary in three weeks?

10. What is the nightmare Nancy has in February?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Lew, Nancy's boyfriend, serves an important role in the story. Write a response exploring Lew's importance to Nancy and the story overall. How does Nancy change because of Lew? What does Lew provide for Nancy? What might be different if Nancy did not know Lew? Use specific references to the text in the response.

Essay Topic 2

An underlying theme throughout the story is the idea of death and finality. When Nancy is diagnosed with HIV/AIDS, she is aware she will die of the disease. As she struggles with the idea that she will die young, other characters in the story must also cope with the finality of death. Write a response focusing on the idea of death and finality as presented in the story. How do the characters cope with this idea? Use specific references to the text in the response.

Essay Topic 3

It Happened to Nancy is presented as a non-fiction book told from Nancy's diary and edited by Beatrice Sparks with only identifying details changed. Write a response exploring whether or not the book is truly a work of non-fiction. What elements of the story suggest it is true? Is there anything present in the book that might not be true? Use specific references to the text in the response.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 693 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample