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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 job does Frankie want to do when she is back in the U.S. with her family?

2. What is Rachel's brother's boyfriend's profession?

3. Where does Rachel's brother keep his will?

4. What is the reason Bud believes girls like him?

5. Who does Frankie suggest her daughter connect with about money for filming her next documentary?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Saul tell Rachel is one reason why Kirk wants them to break up after Saul is diagnosed with cancer?

2. What idea does Bud come up with for temporary employment while living at Lizzie's apartment?

3. What does Bud learn about from his childhood friendship with Sally?

4. What story does Bud tell Lizzie and her roommates after he runs away to her apartment?

5. Why does Frankie, Tara's mother, turn down Gil's marriage proposal when they are 19?

6. What does Tara's friend, Tracey, make a film about and how does Tara feel about it?

7. Rachel describes her brother as "a total pill." How does Saul's illness affect his character?

8. When Saul expresses that he feels hopeless and there is nothing that he wants anymore, how does Rachel counter this point?

9. How does Rachel describe the personality of the nickname "Sister Susie," which Kirk fondly calls her?

10. How does Tara describe her parents' relationship with money?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Growing up, Ethan's father often traveled to Thailand, and many other Asian countries, for work. Travel is a prominent theme throughout the novel. Select 2-3 characters from the novel and explain how travel affected their relationships with themselves, family members, and romantic partners.

Essay Topic 2

After her father's death, Ethan's sister becomes angry at her father for spending too much of his money, arguing that he did not leave enough for her and her own children. Write an essay analyzing Ethan's mother's reaction to her daughter's expression of anger. Explain the different ways these two family members view money.

Essay Topic 3

After discovering Gil's second family, Ethan, his sister, and mother all handle the news quite differently. Explain how each of these characters handles the news in his or her own way, explaining how his or her reaction reveals his or her characterization.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 944 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample