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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 Suzanne say about Melanie Bone?

2. What does Katie do when she takes a break from reading?

3. What does the note from Matt that is inside the book say?

4. How many falling stars does Matt count one night?

5. How does Katie know Matt is an outdoors man?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. Why does Michael end the relationship with Suzanne?

4. What does Katie remember about the night she and Matt made love and Katie becomes pregnant?

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

6. Describe what happens on July 18.

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

8. How does Suzanne describe her new life?

9. What does Suzanne say about seeing Matt the day after they talked in the diner?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

"Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas" belongs to the romance genre. Discuss the following:

1. Define the literary term "genre" and give several examples of three other genres in addition to the romance 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 romance and a historical novel?

Essay Topic 2

Often, authors will write about "what they know," and sometimes knowing a little about the author makes the books more interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Research and give a brief biographical sketch of James Patterson.

2. What in Patterson's background may have helped him in writing this book? What may have influenced the way he depicts various characters and scenes?

3. Do you think there is always some of the author's own life in his/her novels? Why or why not? Give examples.

Essay Topic 3

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 this help a reader to know him/herself? Do you find yourself reflecting on your own character and abilities when reading "Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas"? Why or why not.

3. Choose one specific incident in "Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas" to discuss and compare one of the characters' response to how you think you would respond.

(see the answer keys)

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