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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. At the beginning of September in Phoenix, how much sleep does Nancy say she has gotten over two days?

2. How does Nancy remember Margie's name when talking to the police in February?

3. What job title does Nancy get at Liz's office?

4. What is Nancy admitted to the hospital for in February?

5. What are sadder than regular days if your parents are divorced, according to Nancy?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The theme of denial is an important aspect in It Happened to Nancy. Write a response focusing on the theme of denial as presented in the story. What characters are in denial? Why are they in denial? How do the characters overcome their denial and deal with the situation at hand? Use specific references to the text in the response.

Essay Topic 2

In It Happened to Nancy, Nancy's parents are divorced, and she lives with her mom while her dad lives in Phoenix. Write a response focusing on the role and importance of Nancy's parents to the story. Why are they important to the story's events? What role do they play? What type of relationships do they have with Nancy? What type of relationship do they have with each other? Use specific references to the text in the response.

Essay Topic 3

The central conflict of the story is Nancy's diagnosis of HIV/AIDS. The story focuses on her contracting the disease and battling it until she dies. Write a response exploring the role of HIV/AIDS in the story. How is the disease presented? How does the disease's presence in the story shape the events of the book? Use specific references to the text in the response.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 684 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample