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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 sound is heard when Riley's alarm goes off just before they attend the political fundraiser?

2. What does Riley do immediately upon returning home from the first visit to Bec's house?

3. What does Derek tell Riley when he visits them at Pineview?

4. Which of "the big three" (26) coping mechanisms recommended by Doctor Ann is most strongly resisted by Riley?

5. In whose room does Riley notice two of their favorite books, The Catcher in the Rye and Bridge to Terabithia?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Riley do when overcome by self-pity while eating alone on the ramp?

2. What adjective does Solo apply to Riley during their first meeting that causes Riley to glow with pleasure?

3. How does the author demonstrate to the reader in Chapter One that Riley and his father Congressman Sean Cavanaugh are on different wavelengths throughout much of the narrative?

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

5. How does Riley feel about the lack of uniforms at the public high school?

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

7. What is the first clue Riley gets that a peer must know about Riley and Alix being one and the same?

8. Why does Riley take the Starburst offered by Solo, even though they do not want it?

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

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 author's choice to tell the story of Symptoms of Being Human using the first-person point of view. What elements of the novel's themes lend themselves to this choice and what is the author's intended effect on the reader?

Essay Topic 2

Analyze the novel Symptoms of Being Human from an Existential perspective. What elements of life does it suggest hold the most meaning and why?

Essay Topic 3

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

(see the answer keys)

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