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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 are the names of Viorst's three sons?

2. What's the title of the book?

3. In Chapter 16, Viorst quotes which psychologist who wrote the book Loss?

4. According to Viorst, in middle age we inspire far less ________ than we do ___________.

5. According to Viorst, "A new dream will arise when we begin to have our babies..." What is it?

Short Essay Questions

1. What can happen as a result of a mother's fear that her child's psyche is fragile? How can this affect the child?

2. How does baggage from childhood put pressure on a marriage?

3. Viorst suggests two necessary losses in Chapter 14. Name one of them.

4. In thinking about losses as a lifelong theme, name some of the juxtapositions that Viorst discusses in Chapter 20.

5. What is the fundamental tension in all man-woman marriages?

6. What is described as the ultimate separation in Chapter 18?

7. According to Chapter 17, what redefines us throughout our lives?

8. Name the five stages of dying described by Elisabeth Kubler-Ross. Briefly describe each stage.

9. How did Viorst's three friends approach death differently?

10. What types of unexpected emotions can we feel towards friends? How do they impact our friendships?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Chapter 15 talks about the "corporate characteristic" of families, specifically mentioning the Bachs and the Kennedys. Explore this idea of family identity and myths. Using support from the book, in what ways is it helpful for families? In what ways could it be problematic? Consider your own experience and whether your family or friends' families have a "corporate characteristic."

Essay Topic 2

Sigmund Freud first discovered and described the Oedipus complex. Write an essay about the beginning of this complex, why it was named after Oedipus, and how it continues to impact modern psychology. Using support from the book and your own life, discuss why or why not you may agree or disagree with Freud and Viorst's view of this theory.

Essay Topic 3

Using the book as reference, discuss the most important aspects of aging. Based on where you are in life right now, how do you think you will age? What characteristics of yourself will become magnified, and which ones will dissipate?

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