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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. Where has Mrs. Haskins been?

2. What is the real reason Nyle declines Muncie's invitation?

3. Who is Tyrus?

4. About what do the two teens talk?

5. What does Nyle reply to Muncie's statement?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Nyle see as she approaches the farmhouse and what might it foreshadow?

2. What happens that demonstrates one minor theme in this book--that is, not accepting people for who they are?

3. Ten days after the accident, what does the Principal announce and what do you think your response would be?

4. What is the first sign of hope that Ezra shows?

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

6. Describe Nyle's first encounter with Ezra.

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

8. 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.

9. Would you have responded the same way as Nyle when Muncie asks her what is going on at Nyle's house?

10. What else occurs at the beginning of this chapter that gives Nyle a sense of unease?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In chapter 6, Mrs. Trent asks Nyle if she would dip the washcloth into the sweet water and dab it on Ezra's lips. Immediately, Nyle remembers her grandmother promised that she would not have to tend to Ezra's physical needs, but she sees the look of exhaustion on Mrs. Trent's face and decides that this is another one of those things that "she needed to do." Answer the following questions by writing a cohesive essay using specific examples and details to illustrate your stance.

1. Compare and contrast how Nyle feels about caring for Ezra when she first starts the care giving to near the end of the time Nyle has to care for him.

2. What do you think shifts Nyle's attitude? Give examples.

3. Do you think it is fair of Gran to expect Nyle to care for a stranger? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

In chapter 6, Gran tells Nyle to throw her mask out. She says that she threw hers away immediately upon hearing the good news that the leak is capped at the plant. Nyle chooses instead to hang it on a hook in the kitchen as a symbol of remembrance. Answer the following questions by writing a cohesive essay using specific examples and details to illustrate your stance.

1. What do you think Nyle will remember by seeing the mask in a year? Ten years? Near the end of her life?

2. Will Nyle's memories change over the months and years? How do you think they will change? How likely is it that she will remember this clearly when she is elderly and reporting the times to her grandchildren?

3. Do you think it is healthier to throw away the mask and move on as Gran does or to keep the mask as a memory as Nyle does? Explain your answer.

Essay Topic 3

In chapter 4, the girls are reading in their English class is about death. Muncie asks Nyle if she thinks the refugees should have left the mountain or not. The two girls differ in their opinion. Perhaps it is this difference of opinion that compels Nyle to not "dare" tell Muncie about Ezra. Answer the following questions by writing a cohesive essay using specific examples and details to illustrate your stance.

1. Many people seem to think they can "catch" radiation poisoning from people who have it. Can they? Or is this just an excuse to not deal with something that most people would want to forget?

2. Up until now, it is easy to blame Nyle more than Muncie for the rift in their friendship, but do you think Muncie's attitude justifies Nyle's hesitation? Or do you think Muncie would "deal with it?"

3. Do you think it is realistic to think the people on the mountain would have stayed there and suffered certain, horrible death? Would you be willing to have strangers in your home who may be dying from radiation poisoning? Even if it could not affect you physically?

(see the answer keys)

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