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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. Why does Emma Newsome have a waffle iron delivered to Lizabeth's house?

2. What does Matt say he is going to do with the rest of the money he had set aside?

3. What is Officer Schmidt's nickname for Elsie?

4. What has Matt never done that surprises Lizabeth?

5. In Chapter 8, how does Lizabeth justify the decision she has made about her relationship with Matt?

Short Essay Questions

1. Lizabeth comes to terms with the fact that she was wrong about Matt and his profession. What is this revelation, and how does it change her opinion about him?

2. What was Paul's ulterior motive for wanting to take the kids on a vacation?

3. In fairly typical romance-novel fashion, the story wraps up with Matt and Lizabeth marrying and living happily ever after. Given the short time they've known each other and the tumultuous relationship they have had up to that point, how believable do you find the story? If you find it quite believable, why? What is it about the genre that makes it so popular, and how does that apply to this book?

4. Lizabeth seems to have many preconceived notions about what a perfect father should be. In her mind, Matt falls short in several of these categories. What does she say in Chapter 7 that expresses these notions and where Matt falls short?

5. Elsie finds out the first name of the flasher and where he lives. What does Lizabeth choose to do with this information?

6. Elsie and the boys are shocked by the condition of the kitchen when they arrive home. What do they see, and what is Matt's explanation for its state?

7. In the Epilogue, what does Matt do to complete Lizabeth's happiness?

8. Lizabeth decides to question Matt point blank about what he would do in certain parental situations. What does she ask him, and how does he respond?

9. A comic moment takes place in Chapter 8 when Matt tackles the man he thinks is the flasher. Why did Matt tackle the man, and who is he?

10. Choose one of the several family relationships described in the novel and outline its importance to the story.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Which character serves as the antagonist for this novel? What about that person makes him/her the antagonist? Is there more than one antagonist? If so, who? Which antagonist is more important to the story line and why? Or are they equally important? If so, why?

Essay Topic 2

Many modern novels have a target audience -- women, children, men, students, etc. At which demographic do you think this novel is aimed? Why? Do you think that this genre in general is aimed at that particular audience? Why?

Essay Topic 3

One way to become familiar with the characters in a novel and their importance to the story line is to compare/contrast characters who have a fairly parallel position in the novel. Along these lines, compare/contrast Paul and Matt and each person's relationship with Lizabeth. Then, compare/contrast each person's relationship with Lizabeth's sons. Who makes more of an effort at being a father to Jason and Billy?

(see the answer keys)

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