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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 did Lisa Shilling and Betsy Goodman look to Elizabeth Frazer for answers to Lisa's problems?
(a) Because they both feel Elizabeth is the smartest person.
(b) Because Elizabeth has access to her father's library of books.
(c) They believe Elizabeth can contact spirits from beyond the grave.
(d) Because they both knew Elizabeth previously had suffered from mental illness.

2. As Mary Nell Fickett's confidence sinks, what happens to Betsy Goodman?
(a) Betsy's confidence sinks, too.
(b) Betsy loses interest in helping Lisa Shilling.
(c) Betsy develops a crush on Elizabeth Frazer.
(d) Betsy's confidence increases.

3. Of whom does Lisa Shilling say "'You are quite the most rotten, sneaky, conniving little person I've ever known'" (p. 73)?
(a) Mary Nell Fickett.
(b) Brian Morris.
(c) Elizabeth Frazer.
(d) Betsy Goodman.

4. After Lisa Shilling berates Mary Nell Fickett for quite some time, what does she do?
(a) She begs Mary Nell for help.
(b) She slaps Mary Nell.
(c) She watches a movie starring Elizabeth Taylor.
(d) She shoves Mary Nell through a glass door.

5. Mr. Bernstein says he entirely can't act in Lisa Shilling's best interests because he must do what?
(a) Follow school district policy regarding mentally ill patients.
(b) Consider also the best interests of other students.
(c) Make sure he receives his retirement checks.
(d) Respect HIPAA privacy laws.

Short Answer Questions

1. Lisa Shilling has her friends promise that they will do something if she becomes violent. What do they promise to do?

2. 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)?

3. When Mary Nell Fickett talks to her father about Lisa Shilling, how does her father respond?

4. What does Mary Nell Fickett do as she continues to participate in group therapy sessions with Lisa Shilling?

5. By the end of the school year, when Betsy Goodman or Elizabeth Frazer asks Lisa Shilling a question, how does Lisa usually respond?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. After Lisa Shilling deliberately walks through a glass window she is hospitalized with fairly serious injuries. She remains in the hospital for at least a few days. Mary Nell Fickett assumes that this suicide attempt necessarily will involve social workers who will force Mr. and Mrs. Shilling to confront Lisa's mental illness. However, this does not occur. Why?

3. Describe some of Lisa Shilling's self-destructive behaviors.

4. 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?

5. Mary Nell Fickett believes that she might fully master the study of abnormal psychology by reading many books. Describe Mary Nell's reasoning and comment upon it.

6. 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?

7. Betsy Goodman is watching a television program about a mentally ill (and committed) patient when Lisa Shilling arrives. Why does Lisa's appearance make Betsy uncomfortable?

8. What techniques does Mrs. Shilling utilize to ignore her daughter Lisa's symptoms of mental illness?

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. When discussing a movie about mental illness with her friends, Lisa Shilling comments on one particular aspect or scene of the movie that makes her uncomfortable. What is that aspect?

(see the answer keys)

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