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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 kind of outlook did Lonnie have?

2. What comes from abandoning hope?

3. Who does Aunt Emily call after Kate takes pills?

4. What does Kate wish to be in Chicago?

5. What relationship does Sharon have with John?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Aunt Emily ask of John?

2. Who is waiting for John when he arrives at Aunt Emily's house?

3. Who does John decide to call after he is done speaking with his aunt on the phone?

4. What has happened since John last saw Kate?

5. How does the epilogue begin?

6. Why is Kate so happy in Chicago?

7. How does the novel end?

8. How does John feel about his family at the end of the book?

9. What does John ask Kate to deliver for him?

10. Why is Aunt Emily upset with John at the beginning of the chapter?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The women in the novel constantly interfere with John's life. Explain how each woman attempts to change John's ways:

- Kate

- John's mother

- Aunt Emily

- Sharon

Essay Topic 2

The theme of death is very prevalent throughout the novel, with characters wishing they were dead or actually trying to kill themselves:

1. Name three times where death is brought up in the novel. Describe the three situations and which characters are involved.

2. Why do you think the characters in the book are obsessed with death? Explain their thought processes.

3. Compare John's escape into television and movies with Kate and Lonnie's wish to escape this world. How are they different and how are they the same?

Essay Topic 3

1. Examine the friendship that Kate and John have before they are married.

2. Does their relationship ever turn physical before they get married? Do you think the fact that they lack a physical relationship will cause their relationship to fail?

3. How does the relationship change after Kate and John are married. Describe their new relationship.

(see the answer keys)

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