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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 Cal afraid of after Conrad gets his present?

2. What doctor does Cal decide to see in chapter 17?

3. Who does the therapist say that Conrad needs to forgive?

4. What does Cal believe his responsibility is?

5. What does Conrad believe that a person's life can be summed up in?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does chapter 13 represent a breakthrough for Conrad and his family?

2. What causes Conrad to have his first pleasant memory about Jordan?

3. What makes Cal think that Conrad is resuming a regular routine in chapter 1?

4. According to Conrad, how does Beth feel about him?

5. What causes Conrad to worry about his ability to survive in chapter 7?

6. Describe Conrad's first appointment with Dr. Berger.

7. What makes Cal wonder why Conrad would ever want to kill himself?

8. In chapter 14, what does Dr. Berger suggest the real problem is?

9. Describe the new goals that Conrad sets for himself.

10. How was attention called to Conrad's issues before he went to the mental hospital?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Many of the events in "Ordinary People" are realistic, such as Conrad's reaction to Karen's death. What other elements of the novel are realistic? Analyze the realism in the novel and explain whether it is effective as a literary technique.

Essay Topic 2

Conrad feels that he has lost his identity after Jordan dies because he feels as if he needs to make up for the loss of Jordan. How does loss of identity tie into the novel as a theme? Analyze the other characters who have lost their identity.

Essay Topic 3

What role does Karen's death play in Conrad's life? How is Karen's death significant to the progression of the novel?

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