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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. Of whom is Andrew speaking when he says, "Fine, disown us, we're better off without her"?

2. Who is calling on Kelly's cell phone when she is on her way home in "December Kelly"?

3. What does Kelly use to make a coffee table when the reporter came to visit in the chapter "January Kelly"?

4. How far apart will Andrew and Becky's two children be?

5. What does Kelly tell the reporter when she asks if her life is what she had imagined it would be?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the readers' perception of Steve change in "January Kelly"?

2. Explain the irony between how Ayinde's day begins and how it ends.

3. How does Becky crack the tough shell Mimi has built around her?

4. How is Richard able to show his love for Ayinde during the crisis of baby Julian's sickness?

5. Explain how the title of the story has a double meaning.

6. How does the author foreshadow the disaster of the magazine interview?

7. What is the huge plot twist that happens in "January Becky"?

8. Lia calls her mother at the end of the "January Kelly" with the intent of asking her to meet her so she can forgive her and let her know it. How does Lia's mother turn the tables?

9. How does Ayinde implement what she learned from her parents in her childhood: that she was a lucky little girl to live so well and she had to be kind and helpful to those less fortunate?

10. Starting with "November Lia," tell how Lia is beginning to appear on the road to recovery.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Many objects played significant roles in the story Little Earthquakes, such as the park and the blue coat. Choose an object and describe in detail its significance.

Essay Topic 2

Many characters in the story have experienced a loss. Choose one loss. Tell about this loss and how it affected the character.

Essay Topic 3

All of the friends underwent many changes during Little Earthquakes. One of the biggest transformations was with Lia. Describe how Lia changed in the story.

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