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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 surprises Frankie the most about returning to the U.S.?

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

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

4. What color is the ribbon Nadia leaves out in honor of Saul?

5. What organization does Bud's father belong to?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What does Tara's former boyfriend, whom she dates in her 20s, tell her about money?

3. How does Tara describe her childhood upbringing in Kathmandu?

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

5. When Bud goes to his late father's house with his siblings, what does he give up?

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

7. By the end of Chapter 4, how does Rachel feel about her brother moving back in with Kirk and now Ethan?

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

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

10. How does Bud describe his relationship with Sally?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay explaining the shift in Saul's perspective about his illness. How did he find happiness during his sickness? What was the importance of Kirk and Ethan's support and Nadia and Rachel's support?

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay analyzing Joe's mother's idea of happiness. How did she imagine her sons to be the happiest?

Essay Topic 3

Select 2-3 symbols from the novel and write an essay analyzing how they relate to one of the novel's major themes.

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