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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 stays all night with Alex's family at the hospital?

2. Who dies at the site of the drug deal?

3. Brittany's parents have finalized plans to send Shelley away to a care facility in which state?

4. What is the nickname people use for Brittany and Colin?

5. Why does Paco go to Brittany's house?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Brittany change her mind about talking to Sierra about Alex?

2. Why has his dependence on Hector placed Alex in an even more vulnerable spot regarding the gang?

3. What is surprising for Brittany when she speaks to Alex's mother at his cousin's wedding?

4. Why does Alex quickly send Brittany away when he sees that Lucky has come to the garage?

5. What is the nature of the discussion between Brittany and her parents when they are at Sierra's house?

6. What order does Hector have for Alex to carry out on October 31?

7. When do Brittany and Alex first have sex?

8. Why is Brittany demoted from being pom pom captain?

9. How does Hector behave when Alex starts asking questions about his father's death?

10. What halts Brittany and Colin from having sex at Shane's party?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Substance abuse seems to be an unnamed character in the book. How pervasive is the abuse? Why does it have such a prevalent place in the characters' lives? How does it affect the abusers? How does it affect those impacted by the abusers? Explain how an inanimate object or characteristic can be a character.

Essay Topic 2

Elkeles is a master at dramatic devices. Choose an example of symbolism, metaphors, and irony, and then briefly describe them and identify the technique which they embody.

Essay Topic 3

Explain the concept of loneliness as it exhibits in the story. Which of the characters are lonely? Are they all lonely in some way? Explain the loneliness and the methods and attempts to overcome it.

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This section contains 779 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample