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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 word best describes the meeting between Conrad and Karen?

2. Why did Beth never visit Conrad when he was in the hospital?

3. Where does Lazenby invite Conrad?

4. What age would Jordan have achieved, according to Cal?

5. When did Cal and Beth get married?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What does Conrad prove by making an appointment with Dr. Berger?

3. What does Conrad use as an excuse to quit the swim team?

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

5. When Beth and Cal attend a dinner party in chapter 8, what does Beth get angry about?

6. What is Cal's role in his family?

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

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

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

10. Describe Cal's first appointment with Dr. Berger.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How is Conrad introduced? What elements does the author use to make Conrad seem realistic and likable?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Analyze the development of the three main characters: Conrad, Beth, and Cal. Compare and contrast each character from the novel's introduction to the epilogue. What changes? What do they learn?

(see the answer keys)

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