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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 Nicky love to do?

2. How many children do Phil and Lynn have?

3. What does Katie say is possible?

4. What does Suzanne's cardiologist tell her?

5. What will Nicky wear for his baptism?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Who goes with Katie to the gynecologist's appointment, and how is Katie feeling as she waits to get in to see the doctor?

3. What does Katie remember about Matt as she is thinking about the diary?

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

5. What surprise does Matt arrange for the end of the wedding ceremony?

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

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

8. What does Matt tell Nicky about the accident?

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

10. Where does Katie encounter Melanie and what does Melanie tell Nicky?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The first scene in "Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas" begins with a traditional scene in a romance. A woman in a bathtub. All women know she will be either waiting for a lover or comforting herself because of a fight or break-up with a lover. The reader is told that the big, fluffy cat in the room with her is named Guinevere. To keep the romance and courtly love in full view of the audience is the Labrador named Merlin. There will be some type of magic.

1. What is a cliche? Do you think the comment about a woman in a bathtub is a cliche? Why or why not? Use examples from "Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas" and your own life to support your answer.

2. What do you think the author is attempting to do by naming the cat and dog Guinevere and Merlin? Use examples from "Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas" and your own life to support your answer.

3. What do you think is meant by the statement, there will be some type of magic, referring to the first fifteen pages of the book? Use examples from "Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas" and your own life to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

There are a number of interesting questions raised by "Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas". Questions that Patterson most likely want readers to consider and think through carefully. Discuss the following:

1. What does the term "author agenda" mean?

2. Name one idea/concept you think may have been a part of the Patterson' agenda. Analyze that idea throughout the book and discuss Patterson' probable agenda concerning that idea.

2. Do you think writers who have an agenda for writing should point it out in a preface?

3. How often do you think fiction is written with a clear agenda in mind by the author?

4. Research the life of Patterson and see if/where his life may have influenced his writing.

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