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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 do Lucy's sons think Joseph is really good at?

2. Where do Lucy's parents live?

3. Who did Lucy's date in Chapter 1 used to be married to?

4. What does the first time Lucy and Joseph slept together come to be known as?

5. Who does Joseph get in a physical fight with in Chapter 2 at Lucy's house?

Short Essay Questions

1. How do Al and Dylan get along with Joseph, and what common interests do they have?

2. How does Lucy handle Paul's surprise appearance at her house in Part I?

3. How does Lucy feel about her first date with Michael Marwood?

4. Why does Lucy really ask Joseph to babysit on a Sunday night in Part II?

5. How does Joseph's mother react when she finds out he is dating Lucy, and why does she feel this way?

6. What is Joseph's relationship with Chris like?

7. What problems does Joseph sometimes deal with in coaching youth soccer?

8. Why does Jaz leave Joseph's house angry after their date?

9. Why is Lucy annoyed with Emma in Part I?

10. Why is Lucy in the process of separating from her husband Paul?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How would you describe Lucy's relationship with her soon-to-be ex-husband Paul throughout this novel? What role does addiction continue to play in Paul's and Lucy's relationship after their split? Write an essay explaining your answers.

Essay Topic 2

What are some of Lucy's most significant reservations and worries about dating Joseph, and how does she deal with them throughout the novel? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 3

Why do you think Hornby introduces Emma Baker to the reader in the beginning of the novel, but does not revisit her as a character at all in the second half of the book? What do you think Hornby is trying to communicate to the reader with Emma's character? Write an essay explaining your answers.

(see the answer keys)

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