2. Betsy Goodman says her father calls "choosing what you want to hear and concentrating only on that" (p. 18) by the phrase...
(a) Wishful thinking.
(b) Selective inattention.
(c) Living in your own world.
(d) A blind spot.

3. Lisa Shilling's only sibling is..
(a) Brian, an older brother.
(b) Tracy, a younger sister.
(c) Elizabeth, an older sister.
(d) Ben, a younger brother.

4. After spending a few hours researching various topics in psychology and mental illness, Betsy Goodman is confused and decides to...
(a) Ignore the situation and just by Lisa Shilling's friend.
(b) Stop being friends with Lisa Shilling and start going out with Brian Morris.
(c) Ask Mr. Bernstein what he thinks might be wrong with Lisa Shilling.
(d) Ignore the medical literature and come up with her own diagnosis.

5. Which character is described by the narrator as a "quiet, distinguished-looking man about sixty who has real style...[he] can talk with you and make you feel instantly at home" (p. 30)?
(a) Rev. Fickett.
(b) Mr. Shilling.
(c) Mr. Bernstein.
(d) Mr. Frazer.

6. After Lisa Shilling's self-mutilation episode at school, Jeremy Bernstein diagnoses Lisa's condition as...
(a) Paranoia.
(b) Tension.
(c) Psychosis.
(d) Schizophrenia.

7. Mr. Bernstein refuses to talk to Mr. Shilling about Lisa Shilling's mental condition because...
(a) He doesn't think Lisa has a problem.
(b) He doesn't think it's his place.
(c) He thinks Mr. Shilling will hit him.
(d) He is afraid of the social ramifications.

8. Which major character suggests that Elizabeth Frazer should join Lisa Shilling's impromptu group therapy sessions?
(a) Mary Nell Fickett.
(b) Betsy Goodman.
(c) Elizabeth Frazer.
(d) Lisa Shilling.

9. Which character is described by the narrator as looking "like Shelley Winters playing a roadhouse pick-up...stretch-pants two sizes too small, preshrunk sweaters with classic midriff bulge, a fur coat slung over her shoulders, and a scarf hiding the curlers in her hair" (p. 29)?
(a) Mrs. Shilling.
(b) Mrs. Fickett..
(c) Mrs. Goodman.
(d) Mrs. Frazer.

10. Lisa Shilling's conversation with her parents opens the novel. Lisa tries to tell her parents that she thinks she might be crazy because...
(a) She's has nightmares constantly.
(b) She can't pass her English class.
(c) She hears voices talking in her head.
(d) She can't stop thinking about Paul Newman.

11. When Betsy Goodman and Mary Nell Fickett finally tell Lisa Shilling that the know she is mentally ill, Lisa Shilling responds by...
(a) Telling them they are out of line.
(b) Attacking them with a knife.
(c) Asking how they think they can help.
(d) Denying anything is wrong.

12. When the narrator describes her mother as a "joiner" (p. 31) what does she mean?
(a) Her mother likes to join various organizations.
(b) Her mother constructs articles by joining pieces of wood.
(c) She's using a slang word of the 1960s meaning her mother is not very cool.
(d) Her mother belongs to a social club known as the Joiners.

13. Betsy Goodman is most-fascinated with which actor/actress?
(a) Shirley MacLaine.
(b) Clint Eastwood.
(c) Paul Newman.
(d) Gregory Peck.

14. The opening chapter of the novel is a conversation held in the kitchen belonging to which family?
(a) Shilling.
(b) Frazer.
(c) Fickett.
(d) Goodman.

15. The narrator states that Lisa Shilling's oldest friend is...
(a) Betsy Goodman.
(b) Shirley MacLaine.
(c) Mary Nell Fickett.
(d) Elizabeth Frazer.

Short Answer Questions

1. Lisa Shilling's conversation with her parents opens the novel. Lisa tries to talk to her parents about something important. Lisa's mother, Mrs. Shilling, responds by doing what?

2. Mary Nell Fickett and Betsy Goodman initially turn to what source of information to research mental illness?

3. Elizabeth Frazer agrees to try to help Lisa Shilling...

4. Lisa sarcastically says she admires a particular books titled...

5. According to the narrator, who is the cutest boy in school?

(see the answer keys)

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