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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 much would Marley get paid for the movie he was in?

2. What had John hoped to find that day on September 11, 2003?

3. What was the main reason the Grogans decided it was time to leave West Palm Beach?

4. How did Marley adjust to life in the country?

5. What did John do two months after first going to Emmaus?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happened not long after John's fortieth birthday that convinced him Marley's fear of thunderstorms was justified?

2. How did Marley manage to get a part in a movie? How did John feel about that?

3. John decided to leave Organic Gardening after realizing that life is too short not to do what one wants to do. What did he decide to do instead and how did it change his lifestyle?

4. Soon after Marley filmed his part in the movie, the Grogans decided it was time to move. They chose Boca Raton as their new home. Why was this a little embarrassing for John?

5. Due to Marley's continuing bad behavior, John decided to read a book on dog training called No Bad Dogs. Who wrote the book and what did the author say about badly behaved dogs?

6. What happened not long after John's new job in Philadelphia began? What was the result of this for Marley?

7. Marley recovered from his illness. How did John know that Marley was back to his old self?

8. What is the end result of the movie, The Last Home Run?

9. Before Jenny and the children returned from Boston, Marley became dangerously ill. What was wrong with him and what was the outlook?

10. What was life like for the Grogans after Conor's birth?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

At the beginning of the memoir, author John Grogan reminisces about his childhood dog, Saint Shaun. How does he describe the dog? What does he say about Shaun in regards to other dogs? Compare and contrast Shaun with his second pet dog, Marley, citing examples from the book.

Essay Topic 2

Tone refers to the attitude of the narrator of a work. As the narrator of Marley & Me, what is the author's tone at different stages of the book? Explain the tone, with examples:

1) At the beginning of the book, before the Grogans adopted Marley;

2) When Marley was a puppy;

3) When the family welcomes children; and

4) When the family moves to Pennsylvania with an aging Marley.

Essay Topic 3

Humor is an element of memoir writing that is often employed by authors. Why is it used? How can it enhance a memoir? Give four examples of John Grogan's use of humor where you feel the pace and the theme of Marley & Me has been enhanced by its use.

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