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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. When did Albert argue before the New York State Supreme Court?

2. Before Erica moved in, what radio station did Albert spend most of his afternoons listening to in his study?

3. When did Vik's father leave Mahuva?

4. What was the temperature when Erwin left the Apelles to get rid of the burned fish?

5. One Christmas, how many nights did Albert and Sydney spend at the Breckenridges' home?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Hazel have photos of her husband smiling?

2. Why did John have to walk to the hospital to try to find his father?

3. Where did John Caldwell work in 1978, and what job did he really want?

4. How did Manny remember that a man named Lieutenant Spitz died when he was in Vietnam?

5. Who did Manny and Erwin see coming toward the apartment building in the storm?

6. At the end of Part 3, Chapter 23, why did John try to hide in the hospital lobby?

7. What did Erwin see coming toward him as he stood trying to decide what to do with the fish he came to throw away?

8. How did Albert propose to help Erwin?

9. How did John feel about accepting anything from his father?

10. How was the snow described in Part 3, Chapter 16?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analogies are used to compare an unfamiliar object or idea to a familiar one in an attempt to explain the unfamiliar. How does the author use analogies in the book? How do analogies help readers understand unfamiliar ideas or understand events or characters?

Essay Topic 2

Metaphors and similes are figures of speech that are used to make comparisons between things. Metaphors seem to imply an equal comparison, while similes seem to imply a similarity between two things. Does the author use more metaphors or similes in the novel? How does the use of metaphors or similes help readers comprehend concepts? How does the use of metaphors or similes help readers make the writing more interesting?

Essay Topic 3

Hazel plans to follow Lazlo Brunn. How does Hazel plan to follow Lazlo Brunn? Why is her plan to follow him a way for her to escape her life?

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