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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. When had Katie found a package on her doorstep?

2. What does Suzanne say about Melanie Bone?

3. What does Suzanne decide to do?

4. What does Suzanne say Melanie always has?

5. About what is Katie old fashioned?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Suzanne end up in the hospital?

2. What has Katie admitted to herself about Suzanne?

3. Describe Suzanne's relationship with Michael Bernstein.

4. Who is with Katie and what are they doing?

5. What does Katie do when she takes a break from reading Suzanne's diary?

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

7. What bothers her immensely about her relationship with Matt?

8. Where do Matt and Katie go the next day after working until noon?

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

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

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

Suzanne is looking for magic. She makes a deal with Nicky on the way home from Boston that for every smile he gives her she will live another year. For a doctor, she falls into magical thinking quickly. After the heart attack that she had at the beginning of the book, one would think that she would live in reality. Perhaps even with scientific knowledge that she could share with a patient, she can't really believe it for herself.

Women understand the desire for a child. Some women can't accept themselves as women unless they have children. While there is a part of every woman who understands Suzanne's desire for another child, it is accepted as a heart string puller because Patterson has been keeping emotion high. If one stops and looks at this situation, this is a very stupid move for a doctor who understands the score.

1. Why do you think even a well educated person might resort to magical thinking, such as what Suzanne is doing on the way home from Boston? Use examples from "Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas" and your own life to support your answer.

2. Do you think all women can understand the desire for a child? Why or why not? Do you think men would not be able to understand that desire? Use examples from the book and your own life to support your answer.

3. Discuss the dichotomy of a doctor like Suzanne not taking precautions to avoid pregnancy knowing her medical history. Use examples from "Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas" and your own life to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Sometimes a book has more of a character-driven plot rather than action driven, and sometimes it is the other way. Some books seem to balance the two. Discuss the following:

1. What do you think it means to say that a plot is character driven? Action driven?

2. How do you think a plot differs if it is character driven versus action driven?

3. Which type of plot do you find more interesting? Why?

4. Do you think it is possible to have a plot where action and character development share equal time? Why or why not.

5. What type of plot do you think "Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas" is? Explain your response.

(see the answer keys)

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