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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. Who does Ben say they should call when they find Mimi dead?

2. Who does Theo keep in touch with more than almost anyone?

3. Why does Theo overeat sometimes?

4. What does Alice do with Waldo on the way home from Playhouse Heaven?

5. What does Shenkman discover when he wakes up in Part III?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Alice do after Waldo runs away?

2. What is the legend around the tree in the Wilf's front yard?

3. Who calls Shenkman to tell him where Waldo is?

4. What does Ben later learn about his decision to move Misty Zimmerman out of the car?

5. When does Ben realize Mimi is developing dementia?

6. Why do Sarah and Ben decide not to wake Ben when they find out Mimi is missing?

7. Where does Ben think Mimi might have gone?

8. What does Mimi think about Ben's temperament?

9. What does Waldo say is watching over him and Mimi?

10. What does Shenkman realize in Part III when he goes to check on Waldo in the morning?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What conclusions does Shapiro seem to have her characters draw about the implications of secrets and avoidance by the end of the novel? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 2

How does Shapiro explore the topic of loss specifically as it relates to a character and her family's struggle with Alzheimer's disease? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 3

How does Shapiro harness the event of Alice Shenkman's precipitous labor to develop Ben Wilf's character early in the novel? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

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This section contains 550 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample