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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 do her friends suggest she read instead in order to be happy to be alive?

2. "Everything I touch, I ruin. I'm ______________."

3. Who does Dr. Sterling contact with Elizabeth's permission?

4. "Drinking in _______ was a lot more fun than it had ever been anywhere else, although I couldn't say why."

5. Which television show wants her to come on as a guest?

Short Essay Questions

1. Elizabeth is finally diagnosed with atypical depression. Describe what this disease is.

2. Why does Elizabeth refuse to appear on the Oprah! show?

3. What does Elizabeth's Space, Time and Motion class become symbolic of?

4. Why does Dr. Sterling give Elizabeth Xanax instead of an antidepressant, which she believes is more appropriate for her issues?

5. What about the Dallas music industry surprises Elizabeth when she arrives?

6. What does Elizabeth's mother think Elizabeth should do to get better? What does Dr. Sterling suggest instead and why?

7. Why is Elizabeth's mother disappointed in her when she comes to visit her in Dallas?

8. How does Elizabeth describe the difference between madness and depression in relation to literature?

9. Elizabeth says if she had any purpose at all, what would she do in London?

10. Elizabeth says there are two types of dysfunctional families. What are they?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe Elizabeth after the Prozac kicks in. What are her moods like? What is so conscious of all the time?

Essay Topic 2

Wurtzel jumps from doctor to doctor when her mental health begins to deteriorate at age 12. What kind of impact do you think this has on her development and diagnosis of the disease? Do you think the impact is positive or negative? Why? Use specific examples with various doctors to support your theory.

Essay Topic 3

Elizabeth's writing style in the book is unusual. She will jump from a standard font to an italicized one. What impact does this have for the reader? Does it change the tone of the novel? Why or why not? What contribution does it make for the overall story? Does it encourage the reader to relate more to Elizabeth or feel more disconnected from her? Use specific examples from the novel to support your statements.

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