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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why does Brian Morris break up his relationship with Lisa Shilling?
(a) Because he realizes he's homosexual.
(b) Because Lisa's behavior is erratic and nonsensical.
(c) Because he wants to date Mary Nell Fickett.
(d) Because Lisa's family is poor and he wants to date a rich girl.

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

3. Mary Nell Fickett and Betsy Goodman initially turn to what source of information to research mental illness?
(a) Various Internet sites.
(b) The dictionary.
(c) The1959 edition of Encyclopedia Britannica.
(d) Principles of Abnormal Psychology by Maslow and Mittelmann.

4. Which character is described by the narrator as trying "to hard to be clever, too hard to be quick, too hard at everything except at being himself" (pp. 28-29)?
(a) Mr. Milne
(b) Mr. Shilling.
(c) Mr. Bernstein..
(d) Dr. Donovan.

5. The narrator states that Mr. Shilling's primary motivation is...
(a) Money.
(b) Power.
(c) Fashion.
(d) Knowledge.

Short Answer Questions

1. In the novel's title "Lisa, Bright and Dark", to what does the term "Bright" refer?

2. The narrator states that adults prevent anyone from "get[ting] to the truth" (p. 27) because they are...

3. What sport does Brian Morris play?

4. Mary Nell Fickett and Betsy Goodman compile a list of psychological conditions including paranoia, schizophrenia, split-personality, and paranoia. To whom do they think this list applies?

5. As Lisa Shilling's mental condition continues to deteriorate, how do her classmates respond?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the family situation of the four main characters.

2. What kind of a job does Mr. Jackson do as the school principal?

3. In what is Mr. Shilling primarily interested?

4. Why is chapter one presented in italic type face?

5. Mental illness aside, how typical are the four main protagonists of the novel?

6. Why is Betsy Goodman the youngest of the major protagonists?

7. Why do Mr. and Mrs. Shilling ignore their daughter's repeated assertions that she is mentally ill?

8. Why does Lisa Shilling believe that she is suffering form mental illness?

9. Why does Lisa Shilling find herself attracted to Elizabeth Frazer, as a potential friend?

10. Based on the various descriptions of the four main protagonists' families, do you believe they would all go to the same public high school?

(see the answer keys)

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