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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 happens one morning before it is even light outside?

2. How has Nicky's childhood been so far?

3. What does Katie do for her friends Phil and Lynn?

4. What do the three see at a playhouse?

5. Why does Matt wish he had been in the jeep?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens when Katie sees Matt outside her office?

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

3. Why isn't Nicky with Matt and what does Matt wish?

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

5. What happens when Katie meets with Dr. Sassoon?

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

7. What does Matt think about as he sits in Nicky's nursery?

8. What does Matt tell Nicky about the accident?

9. Why does Katie go to the Vineyard and what does she think about on the way there?

10. What happens after Suzanne is admitted to the hospital?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

1. What is foreshadowing? How many incidences of foreshadowing are in "Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas"? How does foreshadowing contribute to a book's suspense?

2. Discuss an example of foreshadowing in "Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas" including why you believe it is foreshadow. Include examples from the book and your own life to illustrate your answer.

3. How do you think most people react to uncertainty in their lives? Use examples from "Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas" and your own live to support your opinion.

(see the answer keys)

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