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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Lisa Shilling's conversation with her parents opens the novel. After that conversation what does Lisa do?
(a) Goes shopping with her friends.
(b) Moves out of the house to live with her boyfriend.
(c) Goes to school and flunks her English test.
(d) Lays on her bead and smashes her head against the headboard.

2. What trait is referred to in the novel as "'Locust Valley Lockjaw'" (p. 30)?
(a) Refusing to eat insects.
(b) Talking without moving your mouth.
(c) Refusing to apologize for anything.
(d) Refusing to say something bad about someone.

3. The narrator describes which major character as fulfilling the role of school princess (that is, regal, cool, far off, blonde, and slim)?
(a) Elizabeth Frazer.
(b) Mary Nell Fickett.
(c) Lisa Shilling.
(d) Betsy Goodman.

4. The first person that Mary Nell Fickett confided in about Lisa Shilling's possible mental illness was...
(a) Neil Donovan.
(b) Mrs. Shilling.
(c) Elizabeth Frazer.
(d) Betsy Goodman.

5. The narrator compares her newly-built school to her old school and notes that both schools have the same...
(a) Type of indirect lighting.
(b) Style of lockers.
(c) Color of blackboards.
(d) Tuna fish sandwiches every Friday.

6. 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?
(a) Telling Lisa she can't get married.
(b) Telling Lisa to go talk to her father.
(c) Listening to Lisa's concerns.
(d) Asking Lisa's sister and friend if they would like more food.

7. In the novel's title "Lisa, Bright and Dark", to what does the term "Dark" refer?
(a) Lisa's fascination with going to see movies.
(b) Lisa's periods of relative normalcy.
(c) Lisa's periods of mental illness.
(d) Lisa's relationship with her boyfriend Brian.

8. The narrator states that adults prevent anyone from "get[ting] to the truth" (p. 27) because they are...
(a) Unable to comprehend the truth.
(b) Trying to shield their children from unpleasant things.
(c) Evil and don't want to let anyone know the truth.
(d) Afraid to admit they have failed.

9. According to the narrator, who is the cutest boy in school?
(a) Ben Goodman.
(b) Paul Newman.
(c) Neil Donovan.
(d) Brian Morris.

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

11. The first story that Betsy Goodman heard about Lisa Shilling's strange behavior happened on...
(a) Ben Goodman's graduation.
(b) Mary Nell Fickett's birthday.
(c) The first anniversary of Lisa and Brian Morris' going steady.
(d) Paul Newman's newest film's opening night.

12. Whom does the narrator describe as being enthusiastic but not very practical?
(a) Mr. Frazer.
(b) Mr. Bernstein.
(c) Mr. Shilling.
(d) Rev. Fickett.

13. 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.

14. The first person to suspect that perhaps Lisa Shilling did have a mental illness was...
(a) Mrs. Shilling.
(b) Mary Nell Fickett.
(c) Mr. Shilling.
(d) Betsy Goodman.

15. Betsy Goodman asks Jeremy Bernstein about Lisa Shilling's mental illness. Bernstein responds by...
(a) Telling Betsy to focus on her schoolwork and leave Lisa alone.
(b) Suggesting Betsy is doing more harm than good.
(c) Saying Betsy won't be able to help but offering to lend Betsy some books.
(d) Saying he will take over Lisa's therapy.

Short Answer Questions

1. Which character's father is a minister?

2. The novel begins with a recalled conversation between Lisa Shilling and her parents. Which of Lisa's acquaintances is present for the conversation?

3. Mary Nell Fickett explains how she intends to help Lisa Shilling--she refers to the process as...

4. According to the narrator, who "counts less" (p. 12) than anyone else in the novel?

5. Which major character suggests that Elizabeth Frazer should join Lisa Shilling's impromptu group therapy sessions?

(see the answer keys)

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