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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. Approximately how many students does Riley say attend Park Hills High School?

2. How does Riley acquire their vintage turntable?

3. In which class does Riley sit behind Casey Reese?

4. What name does Riley give to the center aisle of the lunchroom at Park Hills High School?

5. In what color ink is Bec's note written?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the significance of the author's allusions to The Catcher in the Rye and Bridge to Terabithia when listing Riley's favorite books?

2. What is the symbolism of the list of French names?

3. How does it make Riley feel when the blog attracts more than 500 followers?

4. What is the significance of Riley's request to study with Bec rather than attending the political fundraiser?

5. What does Riley call their one formal outfit and why?

6. What is demonstrated about Solo's character when he tells Riley that "High school sucks for everyone" (95)?

7. When the girl contemplating suicide contacts Riley, what piece of Riley's advice does she take that leads to negative consequences?

8. Discuss the author's use of hyperbole to characterize Riley's voice.

9. What clothing does Riley choose for the first day of public high school, and what is Riley hoping to accomplish with this choice?

10. What is the symbolism of Riley's choice of avatar when starting a blog?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the many instances of irony within the novel's narrative and analyze the author's purpose for including each instance you discuss.

Essay Topic 2

Determine the author's message regarding the power of communication.

Essay Topic 3

William Faulkner once famously claimed that the most important literature deals with the subject of the human heart in conflict with itself. Explain how the theme of the Individual versus Society is demonstrated within Jeff Garvin's novel Symptoms of Being Human. Create a decisive, arguable claim and prove it with quotes from the book.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,376 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample