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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. By the end of the school year, when Betsy Goodman or Elizabeth Frazer asks Lisa Shilling a question, how does Lisa usually respond?
(a) By repeating the question back at them.
(b) By always answering yes.
(c) By saying she doesn't know the answer.
(d) By ignoring them.

2. Lisa Shilling tells her friends that she is always tired. Why is she always tired?
(a) Because her father makes her clean house for several hours every night.
(b) Because she sneaks out at night to visit her boyfriend Brian Morris.
(c) Because when she tries to sleep she hears many voices talking to her.
(d) Because she likes to stay up late watching television.

3. Which major character is described as "a tall, blonde girl who seemed contained from within by taut wires strung from shoulder to shoulder, from head to hip. Self-contained and beautiful and distant, and suddenly mysterious" (pp. 59-60)?
(a) Elizabeth Frazer.
(b) Shirley MacLaine.
(c) Betsy Goodman.
(d) Mary Nell Fickett.

4. Who eavesdrops on the conversation between Rev. Fickett, Mr. Milne, and Mr. Shilling when they discuss Lisa Shilling's mental illness?
(a) Betsy Goodman.
(b) Mary Nell Fickett.
(c) Elizabeth Frazer.
(d) Lisa Shilling.

5. According to Elizabeth Frazer, Betsy Goodman has something that Elizabeth and Mary Nell Fickett don't have. What are the three traits that Elizabeth enumerates?
(a) Beauty, intelligence, and education.
(b) Health, wealth, and wisdom.
(c) Warmth, naturalness, and simplicity.
(d) Strength, dexterity, and constitution.

Short Answer Questions

1. Although Elizabeth Frazer is beautiful and "[b]oys thought she was sensational" (p. 97) she does not seem to have any friends or boyfriends. The narrator states this is because Elizabeth has what quality?

2. By the end of the school year, which major character is the least optimistic about Lisa Shilling's chances for recovery?

3. Who does Lisa Shilling accuse of trying to steal Brian Morris away from her?

4. With only three weeks left in the school year, what does Mr. Bernstein hope for?

5. Why does Lisa Shilling wait until Mr. Goodman is in the room before she deliberately walks through a floor-to-ceiling window?

Short Essay Questions

1. The four protagonists have a backyard cookout that ends with Lisa Shilling assaulting Elizabeth Frazer. What leads up to Lisa's assault?

2. Mr. Milne makes a few attempts to have Lisa Shilling's condition accepted and treated. He calls upon the school authorities in a formal and, later, an informal manner. He also meets with Rev. Fickett and Mr. Shilling directly. His attempts meet with failure as first Bernstein and the school administration and later Mr. Shilling stonewall him. Should Milne have done anything differently? Should Milne have given up when he did?

3. Describe the typical group therapy session involving Lisa Shilling, Betsy Goodman, Mary Nell Fickett, and Elizabeth Frazer.

4. Lisa Shilling occasionally talks in a deep, sultry voice with a notable English accent. Betsy Goodman associates this English-sounding Lisa with the dark Lisa. In popular psychology, what type of mental illness would account for this distinction?

5. How might the narrative differ if the protagonists were male?

6. How does Betsy Goodman's focus on movie stars help develop the plot?

7. If you were in Lisa's situation, to whom would you turn for help?

8. Between Elizabeth Frazer, Mary Nell Fickett, and Betsy Goodman, which character tries the least to understand Lisa Shilling's diagnosis?

9. Betsy Goodman meets with Mr. Bernstein several times and he explains why he cannot become involved. Yet she continues to turn to him for help. Why does Betsy continue to attempt to rely on Mr. Bernstein?

10. As the novel points out, Mr. and Mrs. Shilling ultimately are the legally responsible persons for the care of the daughter Lisa. After reading of their stubborn refusal to admit there is a problem, is this the approach that society should continue to utilize for child rearing?

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