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

2. 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) Betsy Goodman.
(c) Brian Morris.
(d) Elizabeth Frazer.

3. What is the favorite topic of conversation when Betsy Goodman, Mary Nell Fickett, Elizabeth Frazer, and Lisa Shilling just sit around and chat?
(a) Illegal drugs.
(b) Skirt lengths.
(c) Paul Newman.
(d) Elizabeth's mother's diamonds.

4. How do the teachers at Lisa Shilling's school agree to "help" (p. 90) Lisa?
(a) By allowing her to cheat openly on examinations.
(b) By expelling her from school.
(c) By tacitly ignoring her.
(d) By giving her 'A' grades even though she doesn't deserve them.

5. Elizabeth Frazer, Betsy Goodman, and Mary Nell Fickett's intense and initial conversation about diagnosing Lisa Shilling is interrupted when...
(a) Elizabeth slaps Mary Nell.
(b) Mary Nell runs out of the room in tears.
(c) Lisa knocks on the closet door from the inside.
(d) Lisa arrives at the schoolyard.

Short Answer Questions

1. Early in their developing friendship, Lisa Shillings makes Betsy Goodman promise that...

2. What diagnosis is described by "when someone wants to do something and yet knows he shouldn't, he reaches out for the thing he shouldn't have, remembers he shouldn't have it, and pulls back. He can go through this for hours, days, years, which makes him absolutely motionless, afraid to do anything" (p. 62)?

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

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

5. One night right before the end of the school year Betsy Goodman, Elizabeth Frazer, Mary Nell Fickett, and Lisa Shilling are talking at the Goodman house. What happens right after Mr. Goodman walks into the room?

Short Essay Questions

1. The Reverend Fickett makes a personal attempt to have Lisa Shilling's condition accepted and treated. With Mr. Milne, a school teacher, he calls upon Mr. Shilling directly. His attempt meets with failure as Mr. Shilling stonewalls him. Should Rev. Fickett have done anything differently? Should Rev. Fickett have given up when he did?

2. 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?

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

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

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

7. Is Betsy Goodman a reliable narrator?

8. 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?

9. 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?

10. 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?

(see the answer keys)

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