View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Kate wish to be in Chicago?

2. Why does Kate think marriage is a bad idea?

3. When does Uncle Jules die?

4. How does the novel end?

5. Why is Aunt Emily mad at John?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Kate want to go to Chicago with John?

2. What does the reader learn about Kate in this section?

3. Why is Kate so happy in Chicago?

4. Who has died in John's family?

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

6. How does the epilogue begin?

7. Why does John think everyone is dead?

8. What does John introduce Kate as at the end of his chapter?

9. What is Kate's test after Lonnie dies?

10. How does John treat Kate?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Kate claims that she wanted to feel numb when she took all the sleeping pills. Compare the feeling of numbness with the excitement that Kate feels when she goes to Chicago.

As the novel ends, does Kate give up on her search for independence? Or is she only willing to have a certain kind of independence?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

1. How is Aunt Emily's letter opener symbolic of the way she feels towards John?

2. Explain why Aunt Emily feels differently towards her nephew. What has he done to change her mind about him?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 641 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample