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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. Who emotionally begs Rev. Fickett and Mr. Milne to do more to convince Lisa Shilling's father that Lisa needs immediate mental health care?
(a) Mary Nell Fickett.
(b) Elizabeth Frazer.
(c) Betsy Goodman.
(d) Lisa Shilling.

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

3. What does Betsy call her affected smile that starts at the left corner of her mouth and then spreads slowly across her whole face?
(a) The Paul Newman Catcher.
(b) The Duchenne Smile.
(c) Gelontology.
(d) The Joanna Woodward Special.

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

5. Mary Nell Fickett states Lisa Shilling's diagnosis is "'a paranoid or a schizophrenic, and maybe both together'" (p. 68). Elizabeth Frazer disagrees and states Lisa's diagnosis is...
(a) Agoraphobic distemper.
(b) Nymphomania.
(c) Anorexia nervosa.
(d) Psychotic personality.

Short Answer Questions

1. As the group therapy sessions continue, why does Mary Nell Fickett lose confidence?

2. What happens on the first organized group therapy session including Lisa Shilling, Elizabeth Frazer, Mary Nell Fickett, and Betsy Goodman?

3. Mary Nell Fickett says that Lisa Shilling's behavior is "ridiculous...[for]...two reasons" (p. 67). What are the two reasons?

4. Elizabeth Frazer, Betsy Goodman, and Mary Nell Fickett's intense and initial conversation about diagnosing Lisa Shilling is interrupted when...

5. After Betsy Goodman, Mary Nell Fickett, and Elizabeth Frazer feel they have not been able to help Lisa Shilling, what does Mrs. Goodman advise them to do?

Short Essay Questions

1. 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.

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

3. After Lisa assaults Elizabeth, she makes her close friends make her a particular promise. What is the promise, and why does she make them accept it?

4. Betsy Goodman believes at one point that she might gain valuable insight into Lisa Shilling's condition simply by watching an Elizabeth Taylor movie. Describe Betsy's reasoning and comment upon it.

5. Cover photographs aside, what narratives clues are there that identify the four protagonists as white?

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

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

8. 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?

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

10. 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?

(see the answer keys)

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