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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 is Ellen's answer when the prosecutor asks if she killed Kate?

2. Why does Ellen say she didn't call her father after her mother's death?

3. Why does Kate say she read the books she and Ellen read as a "book club?"

4. How long does Mrs. Forburg say she was married?

5. Who is decorating the tree next to Kate's?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is George's response when Kate says she loves Christmas? What does he mean?

2. What does Ellen think about when Jeff asks if she has a message for Jon? What is her message?

3. What are Ellen's theories about why Mrs. Duane and Kate don't talk about men while they're having lunch together?

4. Why does Ellen ask Jules not to come to the funeral?

5. Why does Ellen say that no one acknowledges the ribbons on her mother's wheelchair wheels?

6. Describe the scene in which George is feeding Kate rice pudding. What does Ellen believe is happening?

7. What is Ellen's reaction when Jeff makes fun of her for baking cookies and why does she react this way?

8. What is Ellen doing that causes the newspaper stories to say that Ellen was "fleeing?"

9. What does Mrs. Forburg say about why teaching is important to her and what does she say about understanding Ellen's challenges as a student?

10. What is the memory Ellen has about a tree lighting event the first year her mother was one of the Minnies?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The months spent caring for Kate changes Ellen's life dramatically. Describe the impact of those months on Ellen. Are any of the effects positive? Are any negative?

Essay Topic 2

When Ellen and George have lunch together as her mother is becoming increasingly more dependent on pain medication, George says that it's time for them to begin planning Kate's funeral. Ellen says that her father asks too much of her and always has. What does Ellen mean? What is George's reaction? What does this say about their relationship?

Essay Topic 3

Ellen tries to question Dr. Cohn alone one day but the doctor refuses to talk about Kate's cancer without Kate present. Is the doctor correct? Ellen says that she wants to know more about the progression of the disease but can't ask without her mother present. Should she have asked? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 888 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample