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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. What does Theresa plan to do to indulge herself during her week at Cape Cod?

2. Who gives Theresa a clue about where to find Garrett in Wilmington?

3. Who books the flight to Wilmington for Theresa the first time she wants to go to Wilmington?

4. What sparks Theresa's curiosity during her research on messages in bottles?

5. What does Theresa discover upon reading the second message?

Short Essay Questions

1. How long does it take for Deanna to convince Theresa to publish the message?

2. Why did Theresa divorce David and what happened with him afterward?

3. What is Theresa's plan when she arrives in Wilmington?

4. How do Garrett and Theresa meet the second time?

5. What clues did Theresa and Deanna find in the message?

6. Why was Theresa in Cape Cod during the summer prior to the beginning of the story?

7. Where is Theresa at the start of the book, and why is she there?

8. How did Garrett and Catherine meet?

9. What story did the prologue reveal about messages in bottles?

10. What are Garrett feelings after inviting Theresa on board his boat?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss why flashbacks are used by Nicholas Sparks in "Message in a Bottle." Give examples of how they are used and to what purpose, as well as why Sparks may have chosen to use flashbacks instead of writing the book so that it started three years prior. Give examples from the book to support your discussion.

Essay Topic 2

Deanna is a character in the novel who acts as Theresa's friend and editor. Does Deanna's desire to protect Theresa affect her positively or negatively? Does Deanna act as an antagonist? Support your statements with examples and quotes from the text.

Essay Topic 3

Theresa introduces Kevin and Garrett when they go to Wilmington to visit for the weekend. Although she prepares her son, she may not have anticipated that Garrett remains plagued by memories of Catherine throughout their courtship and that Catherine was pregnant when she was killed. Does Kevin's relationship with Garrett add to the story or detract from it? Did the fact that Catherine was pregnant affect Garrett's relationship with Kevin? Support your statements with examples and quotes from the text.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 973 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample