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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 does Mr. Perry want Nyle to do?

2. Who does Nyle talk about who was a carpenter?

3. What do they name the puppy?

4. For what does Ezra thank Nyle?

5. Why is Nyle nervous?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Muncie respond to Nyle finally telling her about Ezra? Do you think Muncie's response is reasonable?

2. How does Ezra seem to fare on his first day of school?

3. What happens that probably garners sympathy for Ripley on the part of the characters and readers?

4. How does Nyle and Gran's discussion about the Trent's future show Nyle's continued maturing?

5. What is a theme that appears in this chapter, which has appeared in previous chapters and give an example of how the theme is illustrated.

6. Do you think the government would be as unresponsive in "real" life to people caught in a nuclear accident such as the one that happens in this story?

7. Why do you think Nyle and Ezra are awkward with each other when put in a position that it seems they must acknowledge something about their relationship?

8. How does Ripley demonstrate that he is a bully?

9. How do you think Nyle may be compounding the rift in her friendship with Muncie in this chapter?

10. How does Nyle wisely help Ezra feel comfortable in her room?

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

Wrapping it up. Choose one of the following and write a cohesive essay using specific examples and details to illustrate your stance:

1. Trace a major theme in the book using examples from numerous points in the book. Tell why you think it is a major theme and any symbols that illustrate the theme.

2. Compare and contrast who Nyle is at the beginning of the book versus the Nyle at the end of the book. Use details and examples to illustrate your points.

3. What do you think might have been the author's reason (i.e., the author's agenda) for writing this book? Give detailed examples to support your response.

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?

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