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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 the name of Cal's mentor in school?

2. What does Cal tell Conrad about the fight he was in?

3. What do Conrad and Jeanine discuss on their date?

4. Who was with Jordan when the boat accident occurred?

5. What is Conrad's response to Beth's behavior when she returns from the trip?

Short Essay Questions

1. In chapter 19, Cal realizes why he is so worried about Conrad. What does he realize?

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

3. Why will Beth never forgive Conrad?

4. Describe Conrad's reaction to Karen's death.

5. When and why did Arnold stop mentoring Cal?

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

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

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

9. What are Cal's hopes for his vacation with Beth in Texas?

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

Analyze the development of the three main characters: Conrad, Beth, and Cal. Compare and contrast each character from the novel's introduction to the epilogue. What changes? What do they learn?

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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