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. When Nyla starts crying, what does Ezra do?

2. Who defends Muncie before Nyle has the chance to do so?

3. What does Ezra say about the puppy?

4. What brings up the topic of the nuclear accident?

5. What does Ezra now have the strength to do?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the emotion of anger appear in this chapter?

2. How is it obvious that the two teens feel some attraction for each other?

3. What emotion do you think Muncie is feeling as she inquires why Nyle did not come study with her the night before?

4. What does Mrs. Haskins assign her students to do and do you think this is mixing education with politics?

5. Describe Nyle's first encounter with Ezra.

6. The issue of a drawn curtain occurs in this chapter, in previous chapters, and in future chapters. How does this issue come up in this chapter and venture a guess as to the significance of the incident.

7. Describe Nyle and Muncie's encounter with Ripley and what you think the encounter may foreshadow.

8. What do you think Ezra means when he says he feels like a phoenix?

9. Describe Ezra's response to Nyle when she comes to read to him.

10. What do the girls do in Radio Shack and why is that ironic?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In chapter 2, Nyle states that she is not going to make friends with a dead boy. Choose one of the following questions and write a well-developed essay using specific examples and details:

1. Why do you think Nyle says that she is not going to make friends with a dead boy? Is she that heartless, or does she actually have a huge heart? Elaborate on your answer using specific examples from the book.

2. How is Ezra similarly vulnerable as far as loving and losing as Nyle is? Does he respond in a similar fashion to Nyle to the idea of loss? Or different? Elaborate on your answer using specific examples from the book.

3. How do you respond to loss of something/someone you love? Or have you lost a loved one? What is the most difficult thing about loss? Elaborate on your answer using specific examples from your life experiences.

Essay Topic 2

In chapter 13, Nyle attempts to get Ezra out of bed and out of the room. In his anger, he jumps out of bed and hustles over to the door. Frozen by fear, he pauses, and then gives in and takes refuge in his bed. Answer the following questions by writing a cohesive essay using specific examples and details to illustrate your stance.

1. What is ironic about Ezra feeling safe and perhaps even a little happy in this room, knowing how Nyle at this point in the story feels about the same room?

2. Do you think it is important that Ezra have a place where he feels safe? Why or why not?

3. Do you think Ezra should be pushed a little to leave the room or do you think he should be allowed to decide when he is ready? Explain your answer.

4. What do you think happens to change Ezra's emotional state to the point that he finally is able to leave the room? Give examples.

Essay Topic 3

In chapter 2, Nyle asks Gran about anger. Nyle admits to being so angry she can see "the blood inside your eyes." Gran wisely advises her to lose the anger because it is not good for a person to hang on to that kind of anger. Choose one of the following questions and write a well-developed essay using specific examples and details:

1. Do you think Gran's advice is sound? Why or why not?

2. How do you think Nyle can go about "losing" her anger?

3. Where else does Nyle's anger appear in the story? Is her anger justified? Understandable? What can she do to let go of the anger?

4. Can you use your advice about how Nyle can let go of her anger and apply it to any way your own anger is sparked? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,572 words (approx. 6 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample