View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the name of Beth's brother?

2. What do Conrad and Jeanine eat on their date?

3. What injuries does Conrad inflict on his opponent when he gets in a fight?

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

5. What does Conrad feel responsible for?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Conrad's life at the end of the novel.

2. Why does Conrad visit Joe Lazenby in the Epilogue?

3. Describe Conrad's first date with Jeanine.

4. Why does Conrad feel vulnerable after Karen's suicide?

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

6. What does Karen's death force Conrad to do?

7. When Cal and Beth are in Texas, why doesn't Beth discuss Conrad with her family?

8. When and why did Arnold stop mentoring Cal?

9. Why is Jeanine upset about her mom's guest?

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

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

Cal and Conrad grow progressively closer throughout the novel. What are the steps in the development of their relationship? What is their relationship like at the end of the novel and why?

Essay Topic 3

Conrad feels that he has lost his identity after Jordan dies because he feels as if he needs to make up for the loss of Jordan. How does loss of identity tie into the novel as a theme? Analyze the other characters who have lost their identity.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 758 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample