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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. Where does Conrad's family go for Christmas?

2. Who does Conrad ride to school with in chapter 3?

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

4. What is Beth envious of?

5. What does Conrad wait to do after the other boys are done?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Describe Beth's attitude toward Cal and Conrad in chapter 6.

3. What are Conrad's feelings about getting a car for Christmas?

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

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

6. The morning that the novel starts, what things does Conrad wonder?

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

8. Why does Cal want to get Conrad a car for Christmas?

9. How is Conrad's confidence boosted at the library?

10. What does Conrad's dream of being confined in a tunnel represent?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 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

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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