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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. How does Lizabeth react to the mess in her kitchen?

2. What does Matt break in Chapter 8?

3. What is the nickname given to Matt and his siblings?

4. Who does Matt say tackled him when he ran out of the house naked?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

2. The reader learns more about Matt's childhood in Chapter 9 than throughout the rest of the book. Was his childhood happy? What happened to his mother? Describe his childhood relationship with his father.

3. 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?

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

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

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

7. 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.

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

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

10. 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?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

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

(see the answer keys)

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