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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. Who enthralls the audience at the performance in Chapter 6?

2. Which musician does Michael particularly like in Chapter 3?

3. Which childcare author and expert does Melissa try to follow the advice of?

4. What is the name of the general area of town where Michael and Melissa live?

5. What is the name of Melissa's and Michael's daughter?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. When do both Michael and Melissa realize their date is a total disaster in Chapter 7?

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

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

6. What does Michael end up talking to Rachel, the receptionist at his office, about in Chapter 6?

7. How do Melissa and Michael know the Wiley brothers?

8. Why had Michael's relationship with Gillian not worked out?

9. What game does Ria want to play with Damian's and Stephanie's children in Chapter 3?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The novel opens with a party in London celebrating the 2008 U.S. presidential election of Barack Obama. Write an essay analyzing how Evans explains the relevance of Obama's election to the U.S. presidency through her characters in Chapter 1, who are living in London.

Essay Topic 2

What does the idea of the "night things," which Evans explains repeatedly throughout the novel, represent? Write an essay explaining your answer, citing specific references to the text to support your arguments.

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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