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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 comes to visit Nancy during Thanksgiving?

2. Nancy compares the hospital nurses to _____________.

3. Why are kids at school teasing Dorie?

4. The mailroom boy wants to be ______________.

5. Who is Ms. Marsden?

Short Essay Questions

1. What did Nancy and her dad do on New Year's Day?

2. Why is Nancy's HIV progressing faster than most cases?

3. What problem does Dorie face that Nancy writes about in January?

4. What happens between Dorie and Fred at the end of February?

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

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

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

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

9. What is the nightmare Nancy has in February?

10. Why does Nancy go to Liz's office at the beginning of June?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Nancy's friend Lew is a very religious person, as is Red's Uncle Bill and Nancy herself. There are several references throughout the book to religion, sin, and repenting. Write a response focusing on the theme of religion and sin as presented in the story. What characters are religious? How is sin and religion portrayed in the book? How do the characters deal with religion and sin? 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

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 683 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample