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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. For what book is Riley reaching when they discover that their books are covered with a substance?

2. How many people does Riley's rapist bring with him when he confronts Riley on the night of the assault?

3. Who contacts Riley to say that QueerAlliance.org is always looking for contributors?

4. How much does Bec give the person who asks her for $5?

5. What sound does Riley hear when yanking on Jim's broken arm?

Short Essay Questions

1. When Riley stands up for themselves in the confrontation with their father, what actions do they list among the ones taken with the congressman's well-being in mind?

2. What happens to ruin Riley and Congressman Sean Cavanaugh's period of closeness on the day spent in the congressman's office?

3. What is the name of Bec's band and what type of music do they play?

4. What is the significance of the note taped to the inside of Riley's vandalized locker?

5. Why does Congressman Sean Cavanaugh refer to President Ronald Reagan when getting Riley's advice for the song he should use for his walk-on music?

6. When Riley first sees the ketchup and honey that have been poured into their locker, what substance do they think is covering their books?

7. Outline the reasons for Riley's feelings that they are finally beginning to settle in at Park Hills High School.

8. Where does Bec actually take Riley after saying that they will be going out to clubs together?

9. Discuss the irony present in Riley's comment at the political fundraiser: "The hard part is over, and now all I have to do is nod and smile" (246).

10. What is the reason for Riley's decision to continue responding to people who ask questions on the blog?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Analyze the author's choice to withhold from the reader the biological gender of the protagonist within the novel Symptoms of Being Human.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss how the themes of truth, lies, and hypocrisy are interwoven within the novel’s narrative.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,248 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample