View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Tara's mother asks her what happened to whom in Chapter 4, causing Tara to lie in response?

2. What word refers to a woman of distinguished courage or ability, admired for her brave deeds and noble qualities?

3. Where does Tara's mother get a job in Chapter 8?

4. Tara's father says that Tara's mother has PMS, "which he defined as" what in Chapter 10?

5. When Tara's father takes her to work with him, Tara is happy with the routine they get into of eating where in Chapter 8?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is tragic about the image that Tara projects about herself versus the reality in Chapter 3?

2. Discuss the emotion in Chapter 9 between Tara and Keesha. How does Tara react to pushing her friend?

3. What does Tara reveal to Donna about herself in Chapter 12? What is Donna's reaction?

4. How does Tara describe her relationship with her mother in Chapter 2? How does she describe her friends?

5. What is Tara's response when confronted about her behavior by a friend in Chapter 4? How do her friends react?

6. What does Tara relate about her family and her relationship with her father in Chapter 8?

7. What leads up to Tara's stealing in Chapter 12? What does she do after stealing?

8. What exchange does Tara describe with Mrs. Scott in Chapter 1? What causes Tara's humiliation?

9. What does Tara do after feeling humiliated in front of her schoolmates in Chapter 1? How does she feel?

10. What is Tara's response to being kicked off the volleyball team in Chapter 3?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the element of sexuality in the novel. How do Donna and Tara's views on sexuality differ? When before has Tara discussed sexuality? What is the result of Donna's having unprotected sex? Who does Tara blame for Donna's pregnancy?

Essay Topic 2

Describe and analyze Tara Sullivan as the protagonist of "Kissing Doorknobs". How old is Tara in Chapter 1? What can be discerned about her personality? How does Tara evolve and grow as a character throughout the narrative? How old is Tara at the end of the book?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss stereotypes in the novel and in real life. How realistic are the characters of Keesha, Kristin and Anna? Are these stereotypes realistic depictions of people you can relate to? Why or why not? Is there a basis in the stereotypes? Are they simply Tara's way of identifying people?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,009 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample