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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. How does Damian feel towards Melissa?

2. Who wrote the poem that Evans includes in the novel before Chapter 1?

3. Why is Michael so late for the event he is supposed to take Ria to in Chapter 6?

4. Who does Michael start paying more attention to at work?

5. What is Melissa trying to write about in Chapter 5?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Damian suggest to Michael that might be wrong with Melissa in Chapter 7?

2. Why does Mrs. Jackson need help in Chapter 3?

3. What is Michael supposed to do with Ria in Chapter 6 that Ria is looking forward to?

4. Before having her second child, where did Melissa work and what did she do?

5. Why do the Wiley brothers throw a party in Chapter 1?

6. What does Melissa do with Blake in Chapter 5 that she absolutely hates?

7. What game does Michael play on the bus on his work commute?

8. What does Melissa see on the street near the church by their house in Chapter 6 that scares her, and why does it scare her?

9. What is a large source of problems in Damian's and Stephanie's relationship?

10. At Ria's school's cultural night, who steals the show?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How do the origins and early days of Melissa's and Michael's relationship, and the dynamics therein, predict some of the problems the two experience much later on? Write an essay explaining your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay analyzing the reasons Melissa feels so angry, upset, and discontented with her life as the primary caregiver for her two young children.

Essay Topic 3

What does the event of Michael Jackson's death seem to precipitate for Damian, and how does his life begin to change significantly following this event? Write an essay explaining your answer, citing specific references to the text to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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