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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 do Lee and Deanna bond?

2. What happens between Darren and his dad that morning?

3. What does Deanna's mother say about how Deanna used to spend her Sunday mornings?

4. What did Tommy tell Deanna on the day she first felt drawn to him?

5. What does Deanna worry about concerning her mother?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. How do Stacy and Jason react to Deanna's dream of moving out of home with Stacy and Darren?

4. How does Deanna describe Darren?

5. How does Deanna transform her experience with Tommy?

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

7. What happens to Deanna on the last day of school three years after the incident with Tommy?

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

9. How does Deanna feel about seeing Lee and Jason together?

10. How does Deanna's surfer girl stories become journal entries?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Many readers of fiction place themselves in the position of one character, wondering if they would do the same thing as that character. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think one of the values of literature is to serve as a reflection of oneself? Why or why not?

2. Socrates said "Know thyself." How can reading a book such as Story of a Girl help a reader to know him/herself? Do you find yourself reflecting on your own character and abilities when reading Story of a Girl? Why or why not.

3. Choose one specific incident in Story of a Girl to discuss and compare the character's response to how you think you would respond.

Essay Topic 2

Over the course of Story of a Girl, Deanna grows as a person in both complexity and understanding. Story of a Girl might be considered a slice of Deanna's larger story of her "coming of age." It might be said that Story of a Girl is a "bildungsroman" of Deanna. Discuss the following:

1. Define Bildungsroman, or "Coming of Age," and give several examples from literature you have read.

2. Trace and analyze the character of Deanna as she changes from a more carefree, innocent girl to a wiser, more mature teen. What are the significant events that change Deanna?

3. After thoroughly analyzing Deanna's growth throughout Story of a Girl, do you think Story of a Girl could be considered Deanna's Coming of Age story? Why or why not?

4. Are there any other characters in Story of a Girl who go through a Coming of Age experience? Who? Why do you think so?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the following:

1. Who is/are the protagonists of the story and why?

2. Who is/are the antagonists of the story and why?

3. Which 3 secondary characters have the greatest impact on the plot?

4. Are any of the characters dispensable and which ones? Why or why not?

5. Do you think this is a character-driven plot or an action-driven plot? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

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