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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 Beth doing while Cal talks to Conrad about his fight?

2. After Cal talks to Conrad about the fight, what puzzles Cal?

3. Why did Jeanine's parents divorce?

4. What does Beth believe that Cal is obsessed with?

5. What does Conrad get from Cal after they talk about the fight?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Conrad want to call Karen?

2. How has Conrad starting working to achieve his goals?

3. Why doesn't Beth say goodbye to Conrad when she leaves?

4. How does Conrad receive reassurance from Cal?

5. What do Conrad and Jeanine believe is the reason they got better?

6. Why is Conrad so upset that he got in a fight?

7. Why is Cal surprised that Ray knows about his family's problems?

8. Why doesn't Beth want to see a counselor?

9. Why does Conrad confront Cal about in chapter 31?

10. What is Conrad's reaction to Beth's behavior at dinner in chapter 29?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Throughout the novel, the focal point changes back and forth from Conrad to Cal. Why does Judith Guest switch back and forth between the two characters? Is this an effective technique used to tell the story?

Essay Topic 2

The novel's resolution occurs in the epilogue. What is the purpose of the epilogue in the novel? What resolution to the conflict does it offer?

Essay Topic 3

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?

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