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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. The narrator describes Jeremy Bernstein as being shaped like what letter of the alphabet?

2. Betsy Goodman is most-fascinated with which actor/actress?

3. Betsy Goodman asks Jeremy Bernstein about Lisa Shilling's mental illness. Bernstein responds by...

4. After spending a few hours researching various topics in psychology and mental illness, Betsy Goodman is confused and decides to...

5. In the novel's title "Lisa, Bright and Dark", to what does the term "Dark" refer?

Short Essay Questions

1. What kind of a job does Rev. Fickett do as a church reverend?

2. Why does Betsy Goodman self-describe as the least important person in the narrative?

3. Describe Mary Nell Fickett's and Besty Goodman's initial attempts to secure professional help for their friend Lisa Shilling.

4. Why does Lisa Shilling believe that she is suffering form mental illness?

5. Why does Lisa Shilling feel more comfortable with her new friend Betsy Goodman than with her older friend Mary Nell Fickett?

6. What kind of a job does Jeremy Bernstein do as the high school guidance counselor?

7. What kind of a job does Mr. Jackson do as the school principal?

8. What kind of a job does Mr. Goodman do as an insurance salesman?

9. What aspect of Mary Nell Fickett's personality is demonstrated by her voluminous reading of psychology textbooks?

10. Describe the nature of the relationship between Brian Morris and Lisa Shilling in the early part of the novel.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The narrator describes many traits of her friends in terms of movie stars or other famous people. In particular, Betsy likes Paul Newman and Cher. If you were revising the novel for today's teenagers, which celebrities would you select to replace Paul Newman, Cher, Joanna Woodward, Shirley MacLaine, and others? How would this process update your understanding of the characters?

Essay Topic 2

Describe the family dynamics of the Shilling family. What do the parents spend their time doing? What do the children spend their time doing? Who talks to whom? Also, who doesn't communicate?

Essay Topic 3

Examine the role of class in the novel. Which characters act appropriately for their class? Who is the wealthiest character in the novel and how do they act? Who is the poorest character in the novel and how do they act?

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