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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. Who meets at the Kennedy wedding?

2. How does Suzanne meet Matt Wolfe?

3. What had Matt sworn to Katie?

4. Where does Suzanne move?

5. Where do Matt and Suzanne make a beautiful memory?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Katie take comfort while dealing with her emotions?

2. What does Katie imagine about Suzanne and Matt as she is sobbing?

3. What is Katie doing at the opening of the novel?

4. Why is Suzanne writing to her son?

5. What does Suzanne say about her perfect night?

6. How does Suzanne describe meeting Matt in Picasso?

7. Describe Suzanne's meeting Jean.

8. What is Katie not yet ready to tell her family?

9. What does Katie realize as she slams the diary shut and what does she need?

10. How does Katie describe Matt and what do they do on the day they meet?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Titles often play a vital role in making a person decide to read a particular book. Discuss the following:

1. Fully explain why you think "Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas" is titled as such. Do you think it is the best title for the book? Why or why not? Can you think of a better title? Why would you choose it?

2. How important is a title in influencing you to consider reading a book? Explain your answer.

3. Do you think a title needs to have direct relevance to a book's content? Explain your answer.

4. Have you ever read a book that when you finished, you do not understand the relevance of the title? Does it discourage you from "trusting" that particular author again?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze the theme of growth in this story. Then consider the following questions as you write: What characters are most concerned with growth? Why? What are some symbols of growth? Symbols of rigidity? What characters seem rigid?

2. Trace and analyze the theme of courage in "Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas". Which characters struggle with this issue? Why? Which characters seem to possess courage? Why?

3. Trace and analyze the theme of death in "Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas". Consider the death of Mike as an random act of nature and the death of Luis as the result of conscious violence. Consider also in your answer the death of innocence in Rick from the beginning of the book to the end.

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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