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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 Deanna give the girl on the waves?

2. What does Deanna think April's parents would think about her living with them?

3. For how many years has Deanna's father not really spoken to her or looked at her?

4. Why does Deanna have a difficult night at work?

5. What does Deanna supposedly threaten to do if Tommy does not spend time with her?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Deanna respond to Lee's dilemma?

2. What comment about church has Deanna thinking about Lee?

3. What happens at the first place Deanna and Lee drop off Deanna's resume, and what is Lee's take on the situation?

4. Who is April and how do Darren and Stacy support her and where do Darren and Stacy live?

5. What happens with Deanna when she is thirteen?

6. What does Tommy invite Deanna to do that reminds her of a time she felt drawn to him?

7. What does Stacy suggest when she picks up Deanna at work?

8. What does Lee ask Deanna's advice concerning Jason?

9. What does Deanna write in her journal after Tommy invited her to do something with him?

10. What does Deanna and Lee do before Deanna has to work one evening?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Deanna finally speaks her mind to Tommy and to her father. There is clearly the sense here that Deanna is becoming both stronger and more courageous, less self-pitying (a state that some of her journal entries and narration tend to suggest) and less willing to both perceive herself as, and act as, a victim. She is, in short, clearly both ready and willing to move on from her past, a situation that is clearly a contrast to both Darren and her father, and which, as later events confirm, serves to inspire both of them to at least a degree of both letting go and moving on. Deanna is, in short, both a hero in her own life and, as a result, an inspiration in the lives of others.

1. Discuss the ways in which Deanna seems to be changing after speaking her mind to Tommy. Use examples from Story of a Girl and your own life to support your answer.

2. Discuss the reason for which Deanna might see herself as a victim. Use examples from Story of a Girl and your own life to support your answer.

3. Discuss why or why not Deanna might be considered a heroine. Use examples from Story of a Girl and your own life to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Many novels, and perhaps a majority, of novels ends on a happy note. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy or good ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why not?

2. What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of Story of a Girl and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why Story of a Girl is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

3. Do you think reading solely for entertainment is as good a reason to read as any other? Why or why not? Can any work of fiction or non-fiction, no matter how poorly written, enlighten, teach, stimulate thought? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Story of a Girl belongs to the young teen novel genre. Discuss the following:

1. Define the literary term "genre" and give several examples of three other genres in addition to the young teen novel genre.

2. Discuss two reasons why it might be useful to label a text by genre and two reasons it might be disadvantageous to label a text by genre.

3. What do you think is the difference between a young teen novel and a historical novel mystery?

(see the answer keys)

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