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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 decide she needs for more balance in her life?

2. What does Suzanne's cardiologist tell her?

3. What had Suzanne done as she was leaving since her hands were full?

4. What does Matt surprise Suzanne with one day when she comes downstairs in her pajamas?

5. What had Matt's coworkers and friends done?

Short Essay Questions

1. What questions does Katie ask as she is reading the diary?

2. What does Katie share with her parents and what is their reation?

3. How does Suzanne fare as the days go on and what does she do once day with Nicky?

4. What perfect memory do Suzanne and Matt create when in their son's room in the middle of the night?

5. What does Katie do one night for her friends the Browns?

6. What does Matt announce one day before daylight and what do they do?

7. Who does Katie think of calling and does she do so?

8. What does Suzanne learn from her cardiologist on a check up?

9. What does Matt tell Nicky as Matt sits in Nicky's room and what does Matt wish he had done?

10. What do Matt and Suzanne do at midnight on the day before Nicky's first birthday?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Patterson recognizes that we have to have something bad come into Suzanne's life. Everything can't be happily ever after all the time. Gus, the dog, is hit by a truck and dies. While it is bad, Patterson has another tearjerker moment with Suzanne and her dog's death. Matt holds her while she cries. Patterson shows a moment of weakness. Before the entry is over, Suzanne moves back into a strength position as she tells Nicky to move on. You lift your head and move on in life.

1. Do you think in order for a story to be interesting good and bad has to be mixed? Why or why not? Use examples from "Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas" and your own life to support your answer.

2. Do you think most people would consider crying about the death of a pet would be considered a weakness? Why or why not? Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

3. Discuss why Suzanne telling Nicky one has to move one might be considered a characteristic of a strong person. Use examples from "Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas" and your own life to support your answer.

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

Many novels, and perhaps a majority, of novels ends on a happy note. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy or good ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why not?

2. What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of "Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas" and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why "Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas" is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

3. Do you think reading solely for entertainment is as good a reason to read as any other? Why or why not? Can any work of fiction or non-fiction, no matter how poorly written, enlighten, teach, stimulate thought? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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