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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 Katie think she and Suzanne would have done had they met each other under different circumstances?

2. What did Katie think about Matt as a prospective husband?

3. How many balls does Suzanne have to keep balanced?

4. How does Katie meet Matt Harrison?

5. What does Katie receive on July 19th?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do Katie and Matt do in the evening after go to the museums?

2. How does Katie meet Matt Harrison?

3. What is the result of Suzanne's illness and what analogy does she use to explain what she decides?

4. What did Matt do for Katie during the month of June?

5. How does Suzanne change her life after Michael leaves her?

6. How does Suzanne describe Melanie Bone?

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

Choose one of the following to discuss:

1. Choose two significant symbols and trace and analyze their appearance in "Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas". Are these universal symbols? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other symbols that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Patterson chooses the symbols he does?

2. Choose two important metaphors and trace and analyze their appearance in the novel. Are these universal metaphors? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other metaphors that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Patterson chooses the metaphors he does?

3. Discuss Patterson's use (or lack ) of literary device (such as foreshadowing, cliffhangers, deux ex machina, etc.), and how they add or detract from the story. Does Patterson use too many or too little literary techniques? State which of the five major elements of fiction the literary device is related to (style, character, plot, setting, theme).

(see the answer keys)

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