View a FREE sample

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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Mary Nell Fickett says that Lisa Shilling's behavior is "ridiculous...[for]...two reasons" (p. 67). What are the two reasons?
(a) Lisa asked to pay for help, and Lisa got mad when Mary Nell wouldn't accept payment.
(b) Lisa asked for help then left, and Lisa asked Betsy Goodman for help.
(c) Lisa asked for help with her homework, and Lisa expected Mary Nell to cheat on an examination.
(d) Lisa asked for help but then refused it, and Lisa asked Elizabeth Frazer for help.

2. Lisa Shilling's little sister Tracy, twelve years old, believes something is wrong with Lisa. What symptoms does she disclose to Mary Nell Fickett?
(a) Lisa spends most nights standing in the corner crying and most mornings eating cupcakes.
(b) Lisa will only wear yellow clothes and only eat yellow foods.
(c) Lisa speaks in gibberish all the time and cracks her knuckles a lot.
(d) Lisa never talks and stares at things.

3. Elizabeth Frazer agrees to try to help Lisa Shilling only after...
(a) Mary Nell Fickett and Betsy Goodman demonstrate their determination.
(b) She [Elizabeth] fails her English midterm.
(c) Lisa Shilling tries to kill herself.
(d) Mr. Shilling agrees to pay her [Elizabeth] and Betsy Goodman.

4. During a barbecue near the end of the school year, Lisa Shilling physically attacks which major character?
(a) Elizabeth Frazer.
(b) Betsy Goodman.
(c) Mary Nell Fickett.
(d) Brian Morris.

5. Why does Lisa Shilling attack Elizabeth Frazer?
(a) Because Elizabeth says Paul Newman is a bad actor.
(b) Because Elizabeth says Lisa is a phony.
(c) Because Elizabeth secretly has been dating Brian Morris.
(d) Because Elizabeth deliberately provokes her.

Short Answer Questions

1. As the end of school approaches, Elizabeth Frazer plans to go to Maine, Many Nell Fickett plans to go to Ohio, and Betsy Goodman plans to go to Westbury, New York. Why do these exciting summer plans trouble the girls?

2. When Rev. Fickett and Mr. Milne tell Mr. Shilling that his daughter Lisa is in serious trouble, what is Mr. Shilling's first assumption about Lisa's problem?

3. For what reason does the narrator believes that Mr. Bernstein and the school will not act in Lisa Shilling's best interests?

4. During some group therapy sessions Mary Nell Fickett encourages Lisa Shilling to "free-associate" (p. 83). What does Mary Nell mean by this term?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

2. 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.

3. Mary Nell Fickett and Betsy Goodman briefly consider inviting Lisa Shilling's younger sister Tracy to their group therapy sessions. They decide against it. Why do they decide against it?

4. 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?

5. 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?

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

7. Describe Lisa Shilling's punctuality and dependability.

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

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

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

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,361 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample