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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 does Cal believe his responsibility is?

2. Why do Conrad and Karen get together in Chapter 7?

3. How does Conrad feel about Cal's Christmas gift?

4. Who does Conrad talk to about his dream?

5. As of the beginning of the novel, how long has Conrad been out of the hospital?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

6. How does Conrad feel he has let Beth down?

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

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

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

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

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

What is the lowest point of Conrad's life in the novel? What is the highest point? Provide evidence from the novel to strengthen your argument.

Essay Topic 3

Beth is a perfectionist, and Conrad is afraid to make mistakes. Describe the ways in which perfection is a major theme in the novel. Which characters strive for perfection? How does it affect their life and character development?

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