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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 does Lizabeth say the people in her neighborhood do as an intellectual pursuit?

2. What is the intruder's name?

3. Why does Matt say he can't go home when he finds Lizabeth in the office?

4. What does Lizabeth notice in the neighbor's crab apple tree?

5. What is the name of Matt's sister who used to cook him bacon?

Short Essay Questions

1. 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?

2. What does Matt do to distract Jason and Billy from their worries in Chapter 9?

3. How does the flasher make up for his actions after losing his temper at being ignored by Matt and Lizabeth? Describe his appearance when he makes arrangements.

4. Compare/contrast Matt and Paul and their parenting styles.

5. What agreement is struck between Matt and Lizabeth after their jog, and why do you think Matt's purpose is in entering into that agreement?

6. Lizabeth makes the decision to cut Matt out of her life, no matter how painful the excision will be. What is her reasoning for feeling that she must do this?

7. What does Lizabeth tell her neighbors to explain why she has a naked man in her house?

8. On the way home from Richard Hastings' house, what does Lizabeth tell Matt that surprises him, and how does she go about telling him?

9. When Lizabeth and Matt finally get home from their jog at 2 a.m., they find Elsie and the boys in the front yard. Describe their time with Paul. What was the end result?

10. 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?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Matt is jealous of Lizabeth's family. It is what he has always wanted. What importance do you think this has in Matt's developing a romantic relationship with Lizabeth? Before the reader is told about Matt's past, what did the importance of Lizabeth's sons and aunt lead the reader to believe about Matt's childhood?

Essay Topic 2

Matt's motorcycle is huge and shiny, and it terrifies Lizabeth. This item is heavy with symbolism. What does it represent and why?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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