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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. The country doctor in Chapter Nine is particularly valued for which quality?

2. Who shows a surprising affinity for basketball in Chapter Seven?

3. What subject does Lillian begin teaching the twins in Chapter Eight?

4. According to the country doctor in Chapter Nine, which state might be responsible for the fire?

5. What causes great agitation among the group during the library visit in Chapter Eight?

Short Essay Questions

1. What important lesson does Lillian remember about Madison in Chapter Seven?

2. To what activities does Lillian introduce the twins in Chapter Six?

3. What is Lillian's opinion regarding having her own children, as revealed in Chapter Eight?

4. Who is Dr. Cannon? What does he tell Lillian about himself?

5. What does Lillian think when the twins run away in Chapter Six?

6. What metabolic state does Dr. Cannon hypothesize is behind the twins' fire? What does he recommend?

7. What does Lillian tell the twins after they run away in Chapter Six? What does Lillian realize?

8. What shocking information does Bessie reveal in Chapter Six?

9. What does Madison want from Lillian in Chapter Six?

10. What happens when Lillian and Madison play basketball in Chapter Seven?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the importance of the Lillian’s mother to the novel. Despite the fact that she is hardly physically present in the novel, she has a powerful impact on Lillian. Discuss the impact of Lillian’s mother and how she helps develop the novel’s themes.

Essay Topic 2

In what ways is the novel a celebration of being weird? Evaluate the role of weirdness in the novel, using textual evidence for support.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss Carl’s contradictory characteristics. In what ways is he a good person? In what ways is he a bad one?

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