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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. At the beginning of this section, what do Jane and Rebecca gape?

2. What happens when Hadley carries Rebecca on his back into the kitchen?

3. Sam knows that he has the advantage over Oliver in height and strength and youth. How does he show maturity?

4. There, amid displays of fetuses and mammal hearts, what does Rebecca do to Jane?

5. Is Oliver successful at saving the whale?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Jane do as Rebecca climbs through the ruins of the airplane?

2. What does Joley say in his letter to Jane?

3. How does Oliver help a whale?

4. How do Oliver's plans to find Jane and Rebecca change?

5. Why is Rebecca surprised about an argument between her parents?

6. What takes place between Jane and Sam?

7. What do Sam and Hadley discuss over beer?

8. What does Oliver recall about the morning after his wedding?

9. What takes place at an Elvis-themed diner?

10. What happens when Rebecca wakes up?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Rebecca hitchhikes to Sand Castle Lane and spends a night with Hadley on Mt. Deception.

Part 1) Why does she hitchhike here? Through what difficulties must she go to get to Sand Castle Lane? Why does she do this?

Part 2) What is the significance of the name Sand Castle Lane?

Part 3) The relationship between Hadley and Rebecca ends on Mt. Deception. What is the significance of this mountain's name? What connection does the name have with events in the story?

Essay Topic 2

Symbolism is found throughout the story.

Part 1) When is symbolism found? Why is it used?

Part 2) How does this symbolism enhance the story for the reader?

Part 3) Compare the use of symbolism in this text to another book you have read this year. How are they similar? How do they differ?

Essay Topic 3

In their few days together, Sam has become more intimate with Jane than Oliver has in over fifteen years.

Part 1) Describe Sam and Jane's time together. Compare their relationship with Jane and Oliver's relationship.

Part 2) Why is this relationship more intimate than one that has lasted for over fifteen years?

Part 3) What might this mean for Jane's relationships with these two men? Will she be able to stay with Oliver after forming a relationship with Sam? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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