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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. Who sends Conrad home after they find him walking the streets at night?

2. Who is rude to Conrad on the phone during his first phone call?

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

4. What place does Cal get in his golf tournament?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. How does Conrad feel after his date with Jeanine?

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

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 Conrad angry at Jordan?

8. When and why did Arnold stop mentoring Cal?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Conrad makes an appointment with Dr. Berger to continue treatment when he leaves the mental hospital. What role does Dr. Berger continue to play in Conrad's life? How does he help Conrad progress?

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

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.

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