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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. Where is Alec's new job in Part I?

2. Who is known as the bully of the children's group in Part I?

3. Who can see colors when she hears music?

4. What kind of work does Alec do when he becomes an adult in Part I?

5. What does Alan order for Val at their stop at the cafe?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Vern refuse to talk to the object of his admiration in Part I in the restaurant?

2. How does Ben experience the world around him in Part II?

3. In Part II, who does Alec have a difficult relationship with in his life?

4. How does Val meet Mike and why is she attracted to him?

5. Why does the doctor and medical students analyze Ben's case in Part II?

6. What kind of job does Alec's mentor help him get as a young adult?

7. What does Ben become obsessed with in Part II that takes over his life?

8. What reasons does Spufford imagine that might have prevented the Woolworth's bombing?

9. Who does Vern become distracted by during his business dinner in Part I and why does this happen?

10. What is one reason Alec feels distant from his son?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How does knowing that Val, Jo, Alec, Vern and Ben have all died as children affect the reader's experience throughout the entirety of the novel? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 2

How do each of the five main characters' financial situations change over the course of the novel, and how important is money to each of them in making significant choices in their lives? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 3

How does Jo find her way back to her dream of producing her own music and putting it out in the world towards the end of the novel? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

(see the answer keys)

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