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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 kind of infection does Nancy have at the end of March?

2. Who is Dorie "messing around" with?

3. The mailroom boy wants to be ______________.

4. What is Nancy's mom's sister's baby's name?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What does Nancy think the difference between having sex with Collin and having sex with Lew will be?

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

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

5. What does Nancy want to do at Buttercup Lake with Dorie?

6. Why is Nancy "living in Heaven" at the beginning of February?

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

8. In the middle of February, how does Nancy know she is feeling better?

9. What does Nancy remember about the kids she thinks she saw Collin with?

10. What is the nightmare Nancy has in February?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Another "character" in the story is Nancy's Self, which she addresses through her diary. While not a physical being, the Self plays an important role in the story. Write a response exploring the role of Nancy's Self in the story. How does Nancy treat her Self? What does the Self do for Nancy? 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

There are many symbols throughout the story - from the Idaho ranch to the jewelry she and Lew exchange and her diary. Write a response highlighting at least three symbols present in the book. Discuss what the symbols represent and how they are important to the story. Use specific references to the text in the response.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 702 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample