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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. How old is Jennifer when she dies?

2. What does Oliver wonder about Jenny as she looks at his father?

3. From what fact that Jenny discovers does she take comfort?

4. Who picks up the tab for the wedding reception at a local pub?

5. For what exam is Oliver studying?

Short Essay Questions

1. How did Oliver get hurt in his game with Cornell?

2. Why does Oliver make certain Jenny has a program at the hockey game?

3. What does the Dean say to Oliver about his request?

4. What is Jenny doing when Oliver comes to pick her up and what does he do?

5. How does Oliver drive to take Jenny to meet his parents and why does he drive that way?

6. What does Oliver admit about his relationship with Jenny?

7. What does Oliver tell Jenny about his father?

8. How does Oliver play hockey and what are the consequences of Jenny's being at the game? Where does Oliver talk to Jenny while at the game?

9. How does dinner with Jenny and Oliver's parents go and why?

10. What does Oliver's father ask Oliver about a letter he's waiting on and what did the father suggest?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

However, the doctor tells him that Jenny's problem is not related to her fertility but the fact that she has an incurable type of leukemia. The doctor tells Oliver to go home and pretend everything is normal for as long as possible.

1. Do you think the doctor should hide Jenny's illness from her? Why or why not?

2. Do you think that from what you know of Jenny at this point in the book she would want to know about her illness? Why or why not?

3. If you were terminally ill would you want to know as soon as the doctors knew? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

The dinner between Oliver and his father touches on one of the themes of the novel--relationships between parents and children. Parents and children have unique relationships and this one is no different.

1. What constitutes a good relationship between a parent and child? What about a bad one?

2. Do you think the relationship between a parent and child is different at different ages? Why or why not? Use examples from the book and your life to support your answer.

3. Does Oliver have a good or bad relationship with his father? Why? Use examples from the book to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Shortly after the move, Oliver decides he wants to have a baby, and he has taken a shine to the name Bozo.

1. Do you think Oliver would be a good father? Why or why not?

2. Do you think Jenny will be a good mother? Why or why not?

3. Do you think Oliver and Jenny have known each other long enough to embark on parenthood? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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