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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. In Conrad's dream, what is he trapped in?

2. Who does Conrad talk to about his dream?

3. What word best describes the meeting between Conrad and Karen?

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

5. In chapter 14, how does Conrad feel about what he said to Beth?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. In chapter 6, what do Cal and Beth fight about?

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

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

6. Why does Conrad have trouble sleeping after his pop quiz in trigonometry class?

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Conrad has a flashback to Jordan's death after he reads about Karen's death. Why does the author include a flashback? Does it elicit a more emotional response from the reader than merely providing back story? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Who is the protagonist of the novel? Who is the antagonist? How do both the protagonist and antagonist of "Ordinary People" contribute to the novel's conflict?

Essay Topic 3

Which items in the novel are symbols? Consider Jordan's death, the mental hospital, Conrad's bumper stickers, and the swim team in your analysis.

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